VOLUME L, NUMBER 48 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING DUBLIN • LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Coalition to Work to Change How Political Campaigns Are Financed Find Out What's Happening Check Out Section A Section A is filled with information about arts, people, entertainment and special events. There are education stories, a variety of features, and the arts and entertainment and bulletin board. A new coalition called, "Money Out, People In" aims to take big money out of politics. The coalition of nonpartisan groups has launched a grassroots effort. It would include educating the public and elected officials about the importance of removing big money influence. That would happen through education, a change in campaign financing rules, and a Constitutional amendment. One of the coalition members, the LivermoreAmador League of Women Voters (LWV), presented a forum on the subject last week at the Livermore Library. The local LWV followed the lead of the California LWV in adopting campaign finance reform as one of its priorities. A video of legal scholar Lawrence Lessig speaking at a TED gathering was shown at the beginning of the LWV forum. In the video, Lessig, a professor at Harvard Law School, asserts that there is a "corruption at the heart of American politics caused by the dependence of Congressional candidates on funding from the tiniest percentage of citizens." He continued, "The U.S. is a Republic with a representative democracy with the people having the ultimate control. However, Congress has developed a dependency on the funders for their seats, not the peo- New LCAC Program to Engage Youth in the Arts Tax Measure To Go On November 2014 Ballot The Alameda CTC Commission voted to return to voters with a transportation sales tax measure in November 2014. If approved by 66.67% of voters, it will implement the Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) that was developed with significant public input and is expected to be approved by the Commission on December 5 for placement on the ballot in November 2014. The measure was defeated in 2012, falling just short of the needed twothirds vote: 350,899 in favor (66.54%) and 176,504 opposed (33.47%). If Measure B1 had been approved, it would have permanently doubled the transportation sales tax paid in the county from half-acent to one full cent. The 2014 ballot measure will not extend the tax in perpetuity. Among the items on the TEP is $400 million for a BART to Livermore extension. Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski authored AB 1086, which allowed Alameda CTC to place Measure B1 on the ballot last November. This session he sponsored AB 210, which allows both Alameda and Contra Costa counties to seek transportation sales tax measures in the coming years. The TEP outlines investments in transportation projects that enhance services and keep fares affordable for seniors, students and disabled passengers, expands BART, fixes roads and highways and improves transportation connections to jobs and schools. If approved by voters in November 2014, this $7.8 billion investment will create and support local high quality jobs and attract funding from state and federal sources to more than double the local investment. (See CAMPAIGNS, page 4) Water Allocation Lowest in History For Zone 7 The Livermore Cultural Arts Council (LCAC) has launched a new program designed to engage youth in the arts. LCAC membership is comprised of eighteen cultural groups. Jeff Kaskey, LCAC representative, told the Livermore City Council Monday, "LCAC is headed in a new direction. We have hired Monica Lynn to head a unique pilot program that will add to our youth outreach by providing tickets to activities at the Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center." He noted that it is anticipated that over 1000 youth would eventually be served (See LCAC, page 4) ple. So long as funders are not the people, it is corruption. This dependency creates an economy of influence that feeds on polarization and dysfunction. In the video he described two elections that he says are held each year in the U.S. One is the general election, in which citizens one lane in each direction were eliminated, it would change motorists' behavior, he said. Drivers would likely cut through gas stations to make their right turns to the next street, or make U-turns in business driveways and parking lots. Several people spoke in favor of eliminating the two traffic lanes. Chris Fleckner, a director of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and a merchant in downtown The state estimates that Zone 7 Water Agency will receive only 5 percent of its normal allotment next year, based on current levels in reservoirs and dams. It is the second time in state water project history that Lake Oroville has been that low. However, the situation may not be as bad as it sounds. It is early in the water year, which began Oct. 1. It's possible that the skies will open up in later months, and Zone 7 will have a higher allocation of water. The wettest months are usually January through March. If the worst became a reality, there is a two year water supply stored underground. The impact would mean that the basin could not be replenished. Zone 7 general manager Jill Duerig told the board of directors at their meeting Nov. 20, "We'll have to go out and do a rain -- and snow -- dance" in order to improve the water supply outlook. The level of Lake Oroville, behind a huge dam in northern California, supplies much of the 1.4 million acre feet (AF) of water delivered to Zone 7. An acre foot is the amount of water one foot deep that covers one acre. The current level is lower than in the drought year level at this time in the (See BICYCLE PLAN, page 4) (See WATER, page 12) Photo - Doug Jorgensen Cottage Preschool in Livermore held its annual Thanksgiving Feast. The children prepared the food: pumpkin bread, stuffing, vegetables, apple sauce, turkey and orange ice dessert for their families and friends. They also created the centerpieces decorating the tables. After the dinner, the children performed ten songs they had prepared. They made headbands and necklaces, which they wore. The children are 2 1/2 to 5 years old. The Cottage Preschool is located at Trinity Baptist Church in Livermore. Dublin Updates Citywide Bicycle Plan The Dublin City Council directed staff to update the city's 2007 bicycle network plan creating connected routes designed to entice more people to ride bikes all over the city. The council at its meeting Nov. 20 did not vote formally, but gave direction on the types of bike lanes it wanted along various routes. Work will progress on a plan. A plan update will set up the ability to attract grant funding, said city manager Joni Pattillo. The routes are designated along north-south streets San Ramon Road, Amador Street, Amador Plaza Road, and Village Parkway. There are east-west routes along Amador Valley Boulevard, St. Patrick's Way and Dublin Boulevard Dublin Boulevard presented the council with a special problem. Not many cyclists want to ride there now. The street's downtown portion is perceived as too dangerous, because there are three lanes of traffic in each direction, carrying a volume of 29,000 two-way trips per day. One option that the council reviewed was the possibility of eliminating one lane of traffic in each direction, to create space for a separate bikeway. However, staff pointed out that at one Dublin Boulevard intersection there are three or four redlight cycles before a motorist can clear an intersection. If Search Begins for New Lab Director The search process for the 12th director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and president of Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS), has begun. LLNS manages the Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA). The new director will replace Parney Albright who resigned from the post effective Oct. 31 of this year. Bret Knapp, principal associate director for weapons programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory, was selected as the acting director. As agreed upon by the LLNS partners, the University of California (UC) will lead the search process, which will be similar in scope and breadth to prior director searches. The process includes a search committee and a screening task force, both of which include LLNL colleagues, academic leaders from UC and other higher education institutions, along with noted scientists and administrators knowledgeable about LLNL, its scientific work and its role as a DOE/NNSA laboratory. In addition, an executive search firm has been hired. Norman Pattiz, chair(See SEARCH, page 3) Inside SECTION A Editorial..............................4 Art & Entertainment............ 8 Mailbox...............................4 Bulletin Board................... 10 Roundup...............................3 Milestones ...................... 12 Short Notes.....................9 MAIN SECTION Sports.................................7 Classifieds....................... 10 Obituaries.......................9 Photos - Doug Jorgensen A Magical Holiday Evening capped off a day of shopping in downtown Pleasanton last Saturday. The streets came alive to usher in the season with live music, special offers, refreshments and an early visit from Santa Claus. PET OF THE WEEK Cairo is ready to rule your heart. The-four year-old feline considers himself king of Kitty City, and though he’d prefer more luxurious quarters, he loves fleet of footmen (and women). His majesty even has his own Facebook page! Swear your allegiance to Cairo at Valley Humane Society (VHS). Adopt Cairo or any black or mostly black cat during our Black Cat Friday event, 11/29-12/1, and we’ll waive the adoption fee. For more information please call (925) 426-8656 or visit valleyhumane.org. Photo - Valley Humane Society/T. Cort PAGE 2 - The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 We believe you deserve the right doctor. That’s why doctors at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, part of Sutter Health, make you their No. 1 priority, whether it’s in person or online. It’s one more way we plus you. During open enrollment, make sure you choose a health plan that gives you access to Palo Alto Medical Foundation doctors. 1-888-398-5677 TheDoctorForYou.com/PAMF The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 - PAGE 3 SEARCH (continued from page one) man of the LLNS Board of Governors and member of the University of California Board of Regents, chairs the search committee. Marvin Adams, a professor of nuclear engineering at Texas A&M University, will lead the screening task force. The position has been posted on the LLNL and UC websites, along with other national lab and LLNS partner websites. The job also will be advertised nationally. As part of the process, the search committee will meet at LLNL in January for “Lab Day” to hear from employees, management and NNSA’s Livermore Field Office manager. The committee will use Lab Day to further develop selection criteria to be used to assess candidates. The candidate selected by UC will be subject to the approval of the LLNS Executive Committee and the concurrence of DOE. The new Laboratory director also will serve as president of LLNS, LLC. "LLNL has a stellar record of outstanding science, engineering and technology in support of the nation, and the selection of a visionary leader is critical to the Labo- LARPD Master Pal Update A public meeting will be held on Dec. 5 to take input on the Livermore Area Recreation Park District's Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan. The meeting, in the Leo Croce Elementary School multi-purpose room, begins at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to provide feedback on current programs, parks and recreation facilities operated by LARPD, as well as share a vision for future facilities and program improvement. The school is located at 5650 Scenic Drive. For more information, call (925) 373-5725. Miller Endorses Swalwell Congressman George Miller, Senior Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, (CA-11) endorsed Congressman Eric Swalwell for reelection to the House of Representatives in 2014. “Having had the opportunity to work with Eric this past year on issues important to our region and our Nation, I can say with great confidence that he is a Congressman committed to growing the economy by strengthening the middle class and supporting our working families,” said Congressman George Miller. "I support Eric’s re-election because he is hard working, focused, and engaged, and he has proven to be an effective representative for the people of the 15th Congressional District," he stated. Expect Traffic Delays The Livermore Police Department wants to remind the community to expect traffic delays on the roadways surrounding the Premium Outlets located on W. Jack London Blvd. at El Charro Road in Livermore. It is anticipated that there will be a large volume of shoppers patronizing the outlets throughout the weekend. Traffic on I-580 near the Premium Outlets will likely be very heavy throughout the Black Friday weekend. The Police Department urges community members ratory's continued success,” said Pattiz, who also chair’s the UC Regents Committee on Oversight of the DOE Laboratories. “The selection of the Laboratory’s next leader is a responsibility that all of us involved in the search process take very seriously. Collectively, we will have an impressive group of individuals providing advice and counsel, and I am confident that we will have an exceptional outcome.” A website has been created for the search process at https://www.llnl.gov/ director-search who plan to visit the Premium Outlets to plan for delays in getting to the outlets. In addition to taking the El Charro Road exit from I-580, shoppers can also access the Outlets by taking the Isabel Avenue exit from I-580, traveling south on Isabel, and turning west onto Jack London Blvd. The Livermore Police Department also wants to remind shoppers to secure their vehicles while they are shopping. Try not to leave valuables in vehicles. However, if valuables are left, please secure these items in the trunk or out of sight. The Livermore Police Department will have additional staff working throughout the Black Friday weekend at the Premium Outlets to keep traffic flowing efficiently and to provide security to the outlets and the parking lots. Kaiser Permanente Pledges Funds Kaiser Permanente has pledged to make charitable contributions of up to $1 million, which includes support to five nonprofit agencies for humanitarian relief and deployment of trained emergency volunteers following the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on Nov. 8. A total of $200,000 will be issued immediately to five organizations: the American Red Cross, for the benefit of the Philippine Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Corps, Relief International and Team Rubicon. The remaining funds will be available to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in the affected areas. Additionally, because Kaiser Permanente’s workforce includes many physicians, nurses and logistics experts who are trained in disaster relief, several people with those skills have already left for the Philippines with the aid organizations with whom they are affiliated, to volunteer to serve in the affected areas. More than 250 physicians, nurses and other employees have volunteered to help with disaster relief. Foot Care for the Whole Family Doctors you can trust • Ingrown Toenails • Sprained Ankles • Heel/Arch Pain • Warts/Fungus/Corns • Broken Bones • Bunions • Hammertoes • Orthotics • PPO Insurance and Medicare Accepted • Board Certified Wound Care Specialist • Medicare Approved Diabetic Shoes Available • Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment Dr. Trinh Pham, DPM • Taught at UCSF Dept of Orthopedic Surgery • Residency at VA Hospital, Denver • Certified Wound Care Specialist Dr. Gary Lam, DPM • Specializing in Sports Medicine and Wound Care • Residency at VA Hospital, Palo Alto • UC Berkeley Graduate Ingrown toenails are painful and can lead to serious infections. If your toe is red or swollen, call us. We will take care of you. Livermore Holiday Festivities Include Snow, Parade and Tree Lighting Festivities in Downtown Livermore will launch the holiday season on December 7. Home for the Holidays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include horse drawn carriage rides, holiday performances and snow in Lizzie Fountain. Downtown Livermore Merchants will be celebrating the Season with open houses. The day of fun concludes with the 18th annual Livermore Holiday Sights and Sounds Parade. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and marches down First Street from M Street to McLeod Street. It will feature over 50 floats, including local businesses, clubs, marching bands and more. The parade ends with that special guest, Santa, leading the community in the official tree lighting. Lighting of "Bruce Sprucetree" will be at the corner of First Street and South Livermore Avenue. There is no admission charge. For more information, call Livermore Downtown Inc. at (925) 373-1795. Budget Surplus Goes to Help Pay Down Unfunded Liability Revenues were higher and expenditures lower than predicted in the Pleasanton operating budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013. The city council okayed the final report. Mayor Jerry Thorne stated, "Once again, I'm really proud of the report. It indicates our city is well managed." The city brought in $92.3 million in revenues, above the projected $91.3 million. Actual expenditures came in at $88.2 million, below the anticipated $88.9 million. Emily Wagner, the city's Director of Finance, told the council that property taxes were $116,000 below expectation, while sales taxes came in $102,000 higher. Wagner commented that Pleasanton was one of the fortunate communities in that its property tax numbers were hardly touched by the recent recession. The hotel tax, she said, showed an increase of $430,000 over prediction. After looking at the entire income, transfers and expenditures, the city has excess funds of $1.879 million, stated Wagner. She recommended spending $1 million of the excess on reducing the unfunded retirement benefit liability. The remaining monies would be placed in the general fund reserves to repay the reserves for the payoff of the golf course bonds. A portion of the funds, $255,000, would be allocated for management employees performance adjustments, as needed. Councilmember Kathy Narum added, "I am pleased that funds are being used to recognized management. Management has kept the city financially strong, providing the revenue needed to maintain all the wonderful services we want." Councilmember Karla Brown said that citizens are aware of the need to reduce the unfunded liability. "I am glad we are putting an extra $1 million towards that goal." Did you know... Livermore Sanitation offers On-Call Cleanup? 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State Route 84 Expressway Widening Project Notice of Availability of Project-Level Conformity Analysis WHAT’S HAPPENING: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) are widening and upgrading State Route (SR) 84 to expressway standards from Ruby Hill Drive to Jack London Boulevard in eastern Alameda County, California. An Initial Study with Mitigated Negative Declaration and Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact for the project was completed in September 2008. The northern part of the project, between Jack London Boulevard and north of Concannon Boulevard, is under construction and will be completed in 2014. The southern part of the project, between north of Concannon Boulevard and south of Ruby Hill Drive, is in detailed design and will be constructed in 2015-2016. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the Bay Area as nonattainment for the national 24-hour standard for fine particulate matter. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, refers to particles smaller than 2.5 microns that can be inhaled deeply into lungs and cause damage to people’s health. Particulate matter comes from combustion activities, including motor vehicles, and can cause dust from roads and highway construction to be re-suspended in the atmosphere. Therefore, some transportation projects must be evaluated for their potential to result in localized concentrations of PM2.5, known as "hot spots." The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is responsible for determining that projects included in the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan (including the SR 84 Expressway Widening Project) are in conformity with the State Implementation Plan for achieving the goals of the Clean Air Act. Project-level conformity analysis shows that the project will conform to the State Implementation Plan, including localized impact analysis with interagency consultation for PM2.5 required by 40 CFR 93.116 and 93.123. This project is not considered a Project of Concern regarding PM2.5 as defined in 40 CFR 93.123(b)(1), as determined by the Air Quality Conformity Task Force on October 31, 2013. A detailed PM2.5 hot-spot analysis was not completed because Clean Air Act and 40 CFR 93.116 requirements are met without an explicit hot-spot analysis. The project comes from a conforming Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program. Comment is requested regarding the project-level PM2.5 conformity analysis. Subject to availability. See gift cards for details, terms, conditions, and (if applicable) fees. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. Product may not be available in all states. American Express Simon Giftcards: Use only at US merchants that accept American Express Cards except cruise lines and casinos. Not for use at ATMs or for recurring payments. Not redeemable for cash. No fees after purchase. For more information, customer service, or Cardholder Agreement visit simongiftcard.com or call 1-800-331-5479. Issued by American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation. В® В® WHY THIS AD: This notice is to inform you that the project-level PM2.5 conformity analysis for the State Route 84 Expressway Widening Project is available on the Caltrans website (www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/envdocs.htm) and the Alameda CTC website (http://www.alamedactc.org/app_pages/view/12322) for a 15-day review period. Project-level conformity analysis was previously performed and approved for other pollutants for which the project area is designated nonattainment or maintenance, and is not the subject of this request for comment. WHERE YOU COME IN: Comments on the project-level PM2.5 conformity analysis must be received by 5:00 p.m. on December 16, 2013, and can be submitted via U.S. mail or e-mail to: Valerie Shearer, Sr. Environmental Planner, Caltrans Office of Environmental Analysis, P.O. Box 23660, MS-8B, Oakland, CA 94623-0660, or E-mail: [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST A PRINTED COPY OF THE PROJECT-LEVEL CONFORMITY ANALYSIS: Individuals who would like to request a copy or who require portions of the report in alternative formats or translated are asked to contact the Caltrans District 4 Public Information Center at (510) 286-4444, or the Office of Environmental Analysis at (510) 622-0803. TDD users may contact the California Relay Service TDD line at 711. IN PLEASANTON AT THE INTERSECTION OF 580 AND 680. SHOPPING LINE 925.463.2778 В® PAGE 4 - The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 EDITORIAL The Giving Season Valley residents have been generous in helping where needed by donating and/or volunteering in the schools and throughout the community. With the holidays approaching, various organizations have sent out a call for donations of food and gifts. Both the Livermore and Pleasanton police departments have placed Giving Trees in the station lobbies. Tags list items requested by recipients selected by the department to receive aid. Open Heart Kitchen hopes to be able to provide 1500 turkeys to meet the need of the region’s hungry during the holidays. Tri-Valley Haven is looking for gifts for teens, women, children, men and seniors, as well as cash donations and gift cards. Stories with specifics on how to help can be found in this week’s Independent. We urge those who are able to do so, to help not just during the the giving season, but throughout the entire year. BICYCLE PLAN (continued from page one) Livermore, said that reducing a segment of Livermore's First Street from two lanes in each direction to one lane "was a huge boost for business. It made downtown more accessible to walking and bicycles." A speaker said she has been living in Dublin since 1980, and has been waiting for a "community-based downtown" with sidewalk cafes and other places catering to pedestrians and cyclists. Even if it's only one section, "we could say this is our pedestrian hangout square, where we can ride our bikes, take our families and hang out and feel like part of the community," she said. Another speaker backed the circulation plan around town, but said that Dublin Boulevard should remain at six lanes because of the traffic volume, and the need for merchants to provide access for trucks and cars. Councilmembers agreed it would be desirable to calm traffic downtown and create a more enabling environment for cyclists and pedestrians. However, they reaffirmed the reality of the current traffic situation. Between cut-through traffic coming off Interstate 580 and locally generated traffic, the numbers will only get worse, according to forecasts. However, the projection might be altered by changes in future land policies and rising cost of gasoline, said Mayor Tim Sbranti. If those were to happen, future city councils could see an opportunity to make Dublin Boulevard friendlier to bikes and pedestrians, The city's consultant conducted a survey and measured residents' interest in cycling. Less than 1 percent were found to be "fast and fearless." Some 7 percent were "enthused and confident"; 60 percent were "interested, but concerned"; and 33 percent were in a category summed up as "no way, no how." The council also had a visit from Congressman Eric Swalwell via a live talk broadcast via Skype, a first for the council. 4,086 Acres Preserved An editorial in The Independent reported 959 acres purchased by funds from the Altamont Landfill Settlement. That total reported was part of a Livermore staff Swalwell said he was grateful that the council, of which he was a member for two years, had declared Nov. 20 to be "Covered California Day." Covered California is the California provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA opens coverage to more people, and erases an inequity that caused women to be charged more for their premiums than men, he said. Swalwell also talked about legislation he has supported that impacts Dublin and the East Bay. He voted for a BART application to receive $13 million to harden the Transbay Tube against seismic problems. He also has been working to change the name of the Dublin post office to honor the late James Kohnen, who served on the DSRSD, Zone 7, and Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District boards. Readers can see Swalwell's talk as part of the Dublin council meeting on TV 30. For a look at the schedule, visit the TV30 web page, and click on the Channel 28 schedule. It can also be viewed streaming on a computer, but only when it is being telecast on Channel 28. The station provided the technical work in beaming in Swalwell's talk. The council also voted unanimously to approve the necessary zoning ordinance amendments and development agreement for Dublin Crossing, a 180-acre portion of Camp Parks being transferred from the Army to a private developer. The vote was unanimous. However, Vice-mayor Don Biddle and Hart repeated their objections from an earlier meeting that they did not agree with imposing a Mello-Roos Act assessment district on future residents in the development to cover certain infrastructure costs. Sbranti said that he normally would not go for it, either. However, the development plan connects East and West Dublin, and the improvements that provide the Army new buildings at Camp Parks justifies his vote for the agreement. Sbranti said it will be the only time he will vote for such an arrangement. report for the city council. In Livermore, 1,121 acres have been purchased, in Pleasanton 2,965 acres for a grand total of 4,086 acres. (INLAND VALLEY PUBLISHING CO.) Publisher: Joan Kinney Seppala Associate Publisher: David T. Lowell Editor: Janet Armantrout The Independent (USPS 300) is published every Thursday by Inland Valley Publishing Company, 2250 First St., Livermore, CA 94550; (925) 447-8700. Mailed at Periodical Postage Prices at the Livermore Post Office and additional entry office: Pleasanton, CA 94566-9998. The Independent is mailed upon request. Go to www.independentnews.com to sign up and for more information. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Independent, 2250 First St., Livermore, CA 94550. Advertising rates and subscription rates may be obtained by calling (925) 447-8700 during regular business hours or by fax: (925) 447-0212. Editorial information may be submitted by [email protected]. CAMPAIGNS (continued from page one) vote. However, to win in the general election, politicians must first do well in the "money election," supported by huge donations from a small percentage of people. He cited statistics showing that only .01% of the people donate $10,000 or more to campaigns. Lessig stated, elected officials spend 30 to 70 percent of their time raising money. The question arises, "What is the impact that the need for money to continue to hold onto a seat has on what they do."Lessig noted that there is a tendency to ignore the problem, because it is seen as impossible to solve. "We cannot ignore it any more. We need a government that works for citizens on the left and right." Lessig said none of the issues supported by either the left or the right will be solved until the problem of influence is fixed. "We cannot afford a future with no sensible reform." He stated what is needed is a larger number of funders. That would spread out the influence. The proposed US Fair Elections Act provides a way to make that happen. Lessig stated, "We would all lose something we love if we lose this republic. We have to act to get it back." There are already websites that track political funding and the voting records of those who receive money. One, MapLight, is a non-partisan, non-profit web organization that links political candidates and ballot measures to their funding sources. Jay Costa, program manager of MapLight, addressed the forum. MapLights' research, Costa says, demonstrates the increasing es- trangement of non-wealthy individuals from the political process. For example, a search for money related to the vote to bail out the banks found that those who voted "yes" received 54% more in contributions from financial institutes. To provide further details on campaign contributions, Costa said a new site http:// votersedge.org has been developed. The goal is to create even more transparency when it comes to campaign financing. "People need to know where the money comes from." California's website CalAccess is difficult to maneuver, he continued. Votersedge provides a quicker way to find information. For example, Cal-Access takes 14 clicks to obtain the data for one committee. If there were eight committees formed for one issue or candidate, that requires 112 clicks to find the money. The recent ballot measure, Proposition 30, listed 33 committees, resulting in 462 clicks to trace the funds. On votersedge, only one click is required. The site also "cleans-up" entries, tracking different ways a business might be represented. For example ,one company appeared as Kellogg and Kelloggs. A search interface on votersedge makes it possible to search for any donor and receive an answer immediately for all state races and ballot measures, as well as Congressional races across the country. There are rules that politicians and committees are required to follow. Stacy Owens, a principal at the campaign watchdog Henry Levy Law Group, urged people to learn where money comes from in support of a candidate or issue. She said that as contribution limits given directly to a candidate are lowered, third party spending is increasing. That is the most difficult to regulate, since the Supreme Court ruled that money is considered free speech. Owens pointed out that at the federal level, independent expenditures do not have to disclose donors. At the state level, the top donors have to be disclosed. Sheilah Fisk, the coalition chairperson, declared that the group believes that the root of the problem in government is money. Congressman spend 50 percent of their time dialing for dollars. Eloise Hamann, LWV, said that projects that the LWV believes will help reduce huge donations, include seeking constitutional amendments declaring corporations are not people and money is not free speech. "It is not enough to reverse the Citizens United ruling," she stated. A member of the public stated, "There is no magic bullet to get money out of politics." He suggested asking candidates their view of public campaign financing. Listed were several bills supported by the coalition that would provide greater transparency, as well as change how campaigns could be financed. They include the following: US Fair Elections Now Act - Senate Bill 750, HR 1404: The Fair Elections Now Act would allow candidates to run for office on a blend of small contributions from individuals and limited public funds. Candidates would qualify by raising a certain number of contributions of $100 or less from individuals in their home state. They would then receive a grant of Fair Elections funds for the primary and general election, and could continue raising unlimited small contributions. Each additional $1 raised would be matched by $4 from a new Fair Elections Fund, ensuring that candidates who use the system could compete even against well-financed opponents. California Sunshine Act - Senate Bill 2: Require clear disclosure as to who is paying for recommendations on often deceptive slate mailers. CA Senate Bill 27: Require “Multi-purpose” (like 501c4) organizations to report contributions received and made so that the funds can be traced to their original sources. Require disclosure on web sites for public access and on the ballot pamphlet CA Senate Bill 52: Require disclosure of the top 3 original funding sources of all political ads, in all media, clearly and prominently on the ads themselves. Require disclosure on sham issue and issue advocacy ads that attempt to influence legislative or administrative action. Require campaign committees to maintain websites where the top 10 funding sources are listed. For information on the coalition go to moneyoutpeoplein.nationbuilder.com by the program. "We are already active in bringing students to events." Among the active arts groups are Cantabella Children's Chorus, ChezaNami, Del Valle Fine Arts, Livermore-Amador Symphony, Livermore Valley Opera, Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, Pacific Chamber Symphony, Valley Concert Chorale, and Livermore Art Association. Monica Lynn expanded on the program. "The goal is to develop an appreciation of arts and culture. The program will be open to all ages and social classes K-12." LCAC is working with the school district and East Bay Community Services on outreach. Groups belonging to LCAC have already become involved, pledging fifty free tickets per performance for students. The students will be able to select from a calendar of events. "There are different programs for different age students. They sign up in advance to attend performances," Lynn added. A survey will be con- ducted to determine interest and better align programs to those interest, Lynn continued. The performances will include discussions and or handouts with the goal to develop it into a credit program. Over 60 students signed up for three programs starting two weeks ago. There are eight more programs scheduled for this year. (Opinions voiced in letters published in Mailbox are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Independent. Letter Policy: The Independent will not publish anonymous letters, nor will it publish letters without names. Abusive letters may be rejected or edited. Frequent letter writers may have publication of their letters delayed. Letters should be submitted by e-mail to editmail@compuserve. com.) bedrock mortars throughout our region. The DeAnza Expedition passed through our Valley in April of 1776, followed by many other historical pioneers. Many of whom have left their names in our streets, schools and cities. Now there is a serious turn of events on the Eastern side of our valley. 3400 acres of biologically diverse and unique landscape is about to become an Off Road Vehicle Park. In the preferred concept plan presented on November 12, there will be a parking lot and practice area just 7 miles from the city limits of Livermore, closer than any other park with the exception of Sycamore Grove. The noise, extra traffic on already overused Tesla Road, and other access routes around the valley, as well as visibility of denuded hillsides from off road use will be a reality. If this acreage, called Tesla Park by the friends who hope to preserve it as a natural area, is added to Carnegie Park (the State Vehicle Recreation area) there will be easy access to 5000 acres of land to attract off road enthusiasts from throughout the state. Is this the image that Livermore wants to promote???? What will this do to property values and the vision of the Tri-Valley Conservancy for thousands of acres already protected in quiet agricultural uses? In addition, there are several archeological sites on this property that are perhaps 8000 years old. How can they be protected? Livermore has a Native American history that treasures the land as sacred, to be protected for many generations into the future. Brushy Peak and Mt Diablo are considered to be creation peaks and part of an enormous viewscape that should be preserved intact, not destroyed by wheeled vehicles, noise, dust, oil and gasoline leaks, not to mention the destruction of all but the hardiest of plant species. Do we want to be known as a visionary community or an off road vehicle mecca? I was raised on a ranch that I still own in Northern California. My Dad was a conservationist before the word was invented! He would never drive on roads after a rain and he never allowed any vehicle off the established ranch roads. Those tracks destroy native vegetation and habitat and may never recover. This is proven by the wagon tracks across many of the pioneer trails as the immigrants came West in wagon trains in the 1840s and 50s seeking new homes and gold. I was raised to cherish and protect landscapes and to preserve them for future generations. I am very proud to be a part of the Livermore community with its far-reaching vision for improvement and protection. I hope you will join with me and Friends of Tesla Park to stop the destruction of this unique biological, historical, cultural and spiritual area. I can envision a quiet reserve with access for hikers, bikers, equestrians, bird watchers, archeologists, seekers of peace and open vistas, botanists and others. All types of interests can be LCAC (continued from page one) Stop the Expansion Marilyn Russell Livermore I have lived in Livermore for 46 years and watched a beautiful transformation of our town and valley into a rich cultural and agricultural community with great respect for the environment and the improvement of the quality of life for the residents. We have become a destination area for wineries and many visitors to taste our excellent products. The Southern region has been preserved in perpetuity as an agricultural preserve through the Tri-Valley Conservancy. Our Valley is surrounded by a necklace of beautiful parks, from Brushy Peak to the Northeast to Del Valle in the South, with Holdener and Sycamore in between. We can enjoy open vistas, clear skies, and many quiet, restorative connections with the natural world. Our area was home to many peaceful Native American groups of the Ohlone and Miwok tribes, and there are village sites, incised boulders, and served in a park like setting. None of these activities can occur within an Off Road Vehicle area. What is your vision for Livermore? Please act now to encourage your local legislators, LARPD, City Council as well as the State Parks Department (Off Road Vehicle Division) to STOP the expansion of Carnegie off road vehicle use into this beautiful area and complete the necklace of open space and trails around our valley in perpetuity. Life Saved Patricia Curcio Livermore Last Thursday, November 14, I experienced a medical emergency while driving to a dental appointment. I had an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication I had taken just minutes before. I went into anaphylactic shock at the intersection of S. Livermore and Fourth Street. I want to thank all the people who came to my aid. The UPS driver who dialed 911. The woman who ran across the street through traffic to assist me, retrieved my purse from my car and held onto it until the ambulance arrived. The park ranger who saw I was having difficulty breathing and ran to his truck to get an oxygen mask for me to use. The businessman in the three piece suit who hugged me tightly and reassured me help was on the way and would arrive very soon. Thank you so much. Your quick response saved my life. The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 - PAGE 5 Lab Researchers Awarded a Billion Supercomputer Core Hours As part of the Department of Energy’s Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE) program, 13 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers have been awarded more than a billion core hours on two of America’s fastest supercomputers dedicated to open science – Mira, an IBM Blue Gene/Q system located at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), and Titan, a Cray XK7 system located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Open to researchers from academia, government labs and industry, the INCITE program is the major means by which the scientific community gains access to some of the fastest supercomputers. The program aims to accelerate scientific discoveries and technological innovations by awarding, on a competitive basis, time on supercomputers to researchers with large-scale, computationally intensive projects that address grand challenges in science and engineering. This year, nearly 6 billion core hours were awarded to 59 projects. The LLNL recipients: • David Bader and Stephen Klein: 150 million core hours for “High-Resolution Simulation for Climate Means, Variability, and Extreme” – Climate science predicts that the frequency of extreme events is likely to increase as greenhouse gas concentrations increase, but the picture can be confusing. Climate models currently used in climate change studies only partially resolve many of the meteorological aspects important to the formation and representation of these climate features. The project proposes to quantify the benefits of employing very-high-resolution global models with enhanced tracer transport to investigate these issues. The team includes co-investigators from Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), ORNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), ANL, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). • Nicolas Schunck: 204 million core hours for “Nuclear Structure and Nuclear Reactions” – Developing a comprehensive description of all nuclei (stable and unstable) and their reactions requires investigations of rare and exotic isotopes with unusual proton-to-neutron ratios that are difficult to produce and study experimentally because of their short lifetimes. This project will result in state-of-theart simulations that provide needed predictions where direct experiment is not possible or is subject to large uncertainties. Such calculations are relevant to many applications in nuclear energy, nuclear security, and nuclear astrophysics, since rare nuclei lie at the heart of nucleosynthesis and energy generation in stars. The team includes co-investigators from Iowa State University, LANL, ORNL, TRIUMF, University of TennesseeKnoxville and ANL. • Frederico Fiuza (principal investigator), Dmitri Ryutov and Bruce Cohen: 120 million core hours for “Particle Acceleration in Shocks: From Astrophysics to Laboratory in Silico” – This project focuses on longstanding scientific problems closely tied to extreme plasma physics processes, such as identifying the dominant acceleration mechanisms for cosmic rays, and determining whether it is possible to generate relativistic shocks in the laboratory and to mimic these extreme cosmic accelerators. In particular, the team will unveil the internal workings of cosmic accelerators and study how collisionless shocks, which are Organization Works with Veterans and Youth to Enhance Their Skills East Bay Community Services has established programs aimed at providing a brighter economic future for veterans and students. Aaron Ortiz, executive director, described several of the programs during an interview that will air on the local cable channel 30. Highway to Work provides paid teen internships year-round for at-risk youth ages 14 to 19. The youth are in the Foster Care system or on probation. Ortiz states, "There are currently over 150 kids in the program. We pay them $10 an hour for 150 hours worked each quarter." Financial incentives have been built into the program to encourage students to establish and work towards a variety of academic goals. They are paid for up to 5 hours a week for school work. Ortiz added that there is an effort to improve their skills in math and reading. A bonus is paid for every grade they advance. Bonuses are also paid for earning a GED or high school diploma. "Most of these are kids who are doing pretty well on their own. We just help them to stay on the right track," he added. Another program, the Justice Academy, is aimed at kids with a 3.0 gpa or higher. It was developed in conjunction with Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley. "It has been very successful," he stated. It offers a six month paid learning and working experience for high school students ages 16 to 18. The academy meets every other week. At each session, a different topic is presented concerning the justice system ranging from intellectual property to law and the media and murder. Once the course is completed, each student is placed in a justice related job. Ortiz noted that work sites have included the City of Livermore, Congressman Eric Swalwell's office, Joan Buchanan's office and Supervisor Scott Haggerty's office. "Haggerty's staff provides a great work experience. I really commend him," Ortiz added. The program has won two awards - the 2013 Achievement Award in the category of children and youth by the National Association of Counties and a merit award in the 2013 California State Association of Counties Challenge Awards Competition. Veterans Internship Program (VIP) provides veterans with on the job skills development. Most recently, veterans worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for ten weeks through a partnership that included the Lab, Las Positas College and East Bay Community Services. The college referred the veterans; East Bay employed them; and the Lab provided the work site. In the future, Ortiz said plans are to look at expanding programs focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). East Bay will work with the the Lab and the college on the program. He noted that Diana Rodriguez, vice president of students services at Las Positas College, is helping to create career pathways. For more information, go to www.eastbaycs.org. pervasive in astrophysical scenarios, operate to accelerate particles to very high energies. This understanding will be used to identify optimal conditions to study these shock structures and associated acceleration in a laboratory using high-power lasers. The team includes co-investigators from the University of California, Los Angeles and Portugal’s Instituto Superior TГ©cnico. • Todd Gamblin, Katherine Yelick and Bronis de Supinkski: 75 million core hours for “Performance Evaluation and Analysis Consortium (PEAC) End Station” – This project focuses on a series of goals that will provide the performance research community with tools, run times and methodologies to enable scientists to exploit leadership-class systems and how to use each system most efficiently. The team includes co-investigators from LBNL, ANL, San Diego Supercomputer Center, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Tennessee, ORNL, the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, the University of Utah, the University of Maryland, PNNL, the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute, the University of Oregon, Rice University and the University of Wisconsin. • Miguel Morales: 200 million core hours for “QMC Simulations Database for Predictive Modeling and Theory” – The project will involve quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) studies in heterogeneous catalysis of transition metal nanoparticles, phase transitions, properties of materials under pressure and strongly correlated materials. These research directions share a common need for predictive simulations where the relevant energy scales are small enough to be beyond the reach of other methods. The project will produce direct answers to fundamental materials science questions and establish benchmark levels of accuracy that will provide targets for future developments in related electronic structure approaches. The team includes co-investigators from ORNL, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University, the University of California, Berkeley and SNL. • Brandon Wood: 60 million core hours for “Safety in Numbers: Discovery of New Solid Li-ion Electrolytes” – Researchers will use highthroughput computational screening combined with in-depth ab initio dynamics simulations to discover and optimize new classes of Li-ion solid inorganic electrolytes to enable safe high-energy batteries. The effort will advance the state of the art of intensive computational discovery and understanding of new classes of electrolyte materials, with potential relevance to battery systems, fuel cells and sensors. The team includes co-investigators from Bosch and Switzerland’s Г‰cole Polytechnique FГ©dГ©rale de Lausanne. • Steven Langer (principal investigator) and Denise Hinkel: 200 million core hours for “Simulation of Laser-Plasma Interaction in National Ignition Facility Experiments” – The National Ignition Facility is carrying out experiments to com- press a mixture of deuterium and tritium to temperatures and densities high enough to produce fusion ignition. The laser intensity at NIF is high enough that some of the laser energy backscatters off the target. This project will focus on simulations producing synthetic data that can be compared to experimental data from NIF to gain insight into the generation of backscattered light. Shepherd’s Gate New Outlet 1635 Chestnut Street Livermore Hours: Wed-Sat 9am-5pm Thrift Store 1362 Railroad Avenue Livermore Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Shepherd’s Gate has helped battered and homeless women and children since 1984. (925) 606-1924 • www.shepgate.org PUBLIC MEETING The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District is conducting a comprehensive update of its Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan. The public is invited to provide feedback on current programs, parks and recreation facilities operated by LARPD, as well as share their vision for future facilities and program improvement. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 • 6:30 P.M. Leo R. Croce Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room 5650 Scenic Avenue, Livermore, CA 94551 For more information, call (925) 373-5725. Cultural Arts Calendar Community Events Calendar Visit Our Online Calendars The Independent’s Online Events Calendars provide all of the Cultural Arts and Community events for this week, this month and this year. To see what’s happening in the Tri-Valley or to submit your event, visit us online at www.independentnews.com PAGE 6 - The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 SolarCity Opens Regional Operations City in Livermore Lawrence Livermore scientists and collaborators set a new record in supercomputing in fluid dynamics by resolving unique phenomena associated with clouds of collapsing bubbles. The team won the Gordon Bell Prize at Supercomputing 2013 (SC13) in Denver, Colo. Image courtesy of Petros Koumoutsakos zVg/CSE Laboratory, ETH Zurich. SolarCityВ® announced ten new operations centers in California. All are expected to be operational by the end of 2013, nearly doubling its locations in the state. The regional operations centers will expand solar services to new areas, reduce installation wait times, and contribute to state and local economies by creating jobs in a range of new locations. One of the new centers will open in Livermore. The new facility, already staffed with 17 employees, has openings for 6 more. Notably, these jobs come with full medical and other benefits. This is part of an expansion across California that calls for a total of 10 new centers by year's end. SolarCity now has a location within 30 miles of more than 90% of the state’s population. The company already has more than 2,100 employees in California, and is currently seeking to fill at least 260 additional job openings in the Golden State. “This expansion not only allows us to spread job creation and economic impact to more local economies, but it also allows us to reduce our costs and environmen- tal impact by decreasing drive times and increasing installation efficiency,” said Tanguy Serra, SolarCity’s executive vice president of operations. “That this is happening as California’s largest state incentive program is winding down is a key indicator of how far solar power has come toward the mainstream.” Visit SolarCity online at www.solarcity.com/request for information. Candidates interested in available employment opportunities in California can apply online at www.solarcity.com/jobs. 'Bubbles' Simulation on Sequoia wins Gordon Bell Prize A new record for a high performance computing calculation set on Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Sequoia supercomputer was awarded the Gordon Bell Prize for peak performance last Thursday at SC13 in Denver, Colo. Scientists at ETH Zurich and IBM Research, in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich and the LLNL set the new record in supercomputing in Fluid Dynamics using 6.4 million threads on LLNL's 96 rack Sequoia IBM BlueGene/Q, one of the fastest supercomputers in the world. The scientists performed the largest simulation ever in fluid dynamics by employing 13 trillion cells and reaching an unprecedented, for flow simulations, 14.4 Petaflop sustained performance on Sequoia - 73 percent of the supercomputer's theoretical peak. The simulations resolved unique phenomena associated with clouds of collapsing bubbles which have applications ranging from treating kidney stones and cancer to improving the efficiency of high pressure fuel injectors. Lawrence Livermore computer scientists Adam Bertsch, Blue Gene Systems lead, and Scott Futral, group leader for the HPC development environment, were members of the winning team. Livermore Computing enabled the achievement of this simulation on Sequoia. Members of the winning team include: lead author Diego Rossinelli, Babak Hejazialhosseini, Panagiotis Hadjidoukas and Petros Koumoutsakos of ETH Zurich; Costas Bekas and Alessandro Curioni of IBM Zurich Research; and Steffen Schmidt and Nikolaus Adams of the Technical University of Munich. The prize was awarded for an 11 petaflops (11 quadrillion floating operations per second) simulation of cloud cavitation collapse. The Gordon Bell Prize is awarded annually by the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) at the Supercomputing conference. Photo - Doug Jorgensen Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Firefighters were able to control a house fire just off South Livermore Avenue in the evening of Nov. 19. However, because the house was so packed with clutter, fire fighters were unable to enter the house. No one was injured in the fire. The cause remains under investigation. Follow us on Facebook www.independentnews.com The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 - PAGE 7 Area Youth Selected to Participate in National All-Star Bowl While attending an Offense-Defense Football Camp this Summer, Mason Bartolo, 14, of Pleasanton, was named an OffenseDefense All-American and invited to participate in the 8th-annual Offense-Defense Bowl Week festivities taking place at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL. Mason Bartolo, a running back / defensive lineman for Amador Valley, was selected for this honor from a group of young athletes numbering in the thousands across the country and played well representing Pleasanton, easily validating the Bowl Selection Committee's choice in tabbing Mason for the All-Star tilt. The Offense-Defense Youth All-American Bowl is part of a week-long series of events including the televised, 8th-annual OffenseDefense All-American Bowl, an All-Star football game showcasing 88 of the top high school seniors in the country. It has featured current NFL pros such as Track and Field Athenian Athletics Track Club invites athletes ages 7-18 to participate in fall and winter practice sessions to prepare for the 2013-2014 Track and Field season as well as training for the upcoming Winter season series of competitions at Cal Berkley and Los Gatos High School. Practices will be held on a voluntary/drop-in basis Monday through Friday. Club participants will have the option of competing for either (or both) AAU and USATF Track and Field events. For practice time and location, please visit facebook page, and group under Athenian Athletics.Any questions please feel free to contact Coach Rik Richardson at 925-518-9356 or e-mail [email protected]. Livermore National LL Livermore National Little League will have a final walk in registration on December 11th at Mt. Mikes Pizza 1304 First St., Livermore, from 6:30pm8:30pm. Registration is open to players ages 4-18. Please bring a copy of birth certificate and proof of residency at the time you register. LNLL boundary is Portola, N. Livermore Ave, Springtown and Altamont Creek area. Visit our website more further details. www. eteamz.com/LNLL PGSL - 2014 Registration 2014 Registration is now open for all divisions in the Pleasanton Phantom Girls Softball League. All girls living in Pleasanton, Dublin or Sunol are eligible to play. Visit the PGSL website for registration information (www. pleasantonsoftball.org). Register by December 1, 2013 to avoid a late fee. For more information, contact PGSL Registrar-Kris Jernstedt. Evaluations for grades 3-8 are scheduled for December 7-8, 2013. Times and location TBD. Bocce Kits for Rent The Livermore Area Recreation and Park District is making bocce ball kits available for rent to the public. Bocce ball kits can be checked out for a week at a time from the Robert Livermore Community Center. The kits are available at the front counter from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Rental for one week is $20, plus Mason Bartolo Photo - Doug Jorgensen Cam Newton, Carlos Dunlap, and Dez Bryant among others before they were collegiate and later profes- sional stars. For more information visit http://www.o-d.com. De La Salle High School defeated visiting Granada High, 46-0, in the North Coast Section Division I football playoff quarterfinals on Friday. The top-seeded Spartans (11-0), who had a bye in the first round, opened up a 46-0 halftime lead over No. 8 Granada (7-5). The Matadors were in the playoffs for the first time since 2010, defeating Amador Valley, 24 to 20 in the first round. a $40 refundable deposit by credit card or cash – a total of $60. The $40 deposit is refundable if equipment is returned in good condition. Kits are rented on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are not available in advance. Rental of a bocce ball kit does not guarantee a bocce ball court will be available. The Robert Livermore Community Center is located at 4444 East Ave., Livermore. Bothwell Park is located at 2466 Eighth St., Livermore. For more information, call 925-373-5700. Play Lacrosse in Livermore Learn to play the fastest game on two feet. Registration for the Livermore Phantom Lacrosse Spring 2014 season is still open but spots on teams are filling fast. Boy’s rules teams are forming for players born between September 1, 1998 and August 31, 2006. Boy’s rules team are open to both boys and girls. The season runs early-January through May. For more information and to register on-line go to www.phantomlacrosse.org. Fastpitch Tryouts The Mavericks’ Fastpitch 12U team will be holding tryouts December 8, 2013 from 10 to noon. Please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. The league is looking for players born in 2001 or 2002. Please check the website at www.mavericksfastpitch. com for more information about the Mavericks and send an e-mail to [email protected] for more information regarding the tryout. Girls Softball LGSA Registration: Livermore Girls Softball Association welcomes all Livermore girls aged 5-18, no experience necessary. Online registration is open now at LivermoreGirlsSoftball. org, or register in person on December 17 from 6-9pm at Joe Michell School. Visit the website or email [email protected] for more information. Winter Water Polo LARPD sponsors a USA Water Polo team (USWP), the LAZERS, which encourages high standards of play and good sportsmanship. As a USWP club team, all practices and West Coast Olympic Gymnastics Academy Level 4 Compulsory gymnasts (pictured) from Pleasanton competed at the Norcal Level 4 State Championships, November 15-17, 2013, in San Mateo, California. Level 4 individual results: Child G - McKenzie Meyn placed tied for 3rd on vault with a 9.125 and placed 6th on floor with a 9.2. Junior D- Ameila Liao placed 4th on floor with a 9.250. competitions will be sanctioned, requiring all participants to be registered with USWP. All experience levels are welcome, however athletes must be able to swim two laps (50 yards) without stopping. Register for the LAZERS team. To register, call LARPD at 925-373-5700, or visit www.larpd.dst.ca.us. For more information about the LARPD LAZERS, visit lazerswaterpolo.weebly.com or e-mail [email protected]. All practices are held at the Robert Livermore Community Center. The 14 & Under Level I Co-Ed team practices begin on Mon., Dec 2 at 4pm, and the Level II team begins on Tues., Dec 3 at 4pm. 15+ Girls and 15+ Boys teams begin practicing on Tues., Dec 3. 15+ boys will practice at 5:30pm, 15+ girls will practice at 7pm. There will be no practices 12/23-1/3 or 1/20. Granada Little League Registration for Granada Little League for Spring 2014 is open. Register now online at www.granadalittleleague.com or attend the walk-in registration on December 3rd at Mountain Mike's Pizza in Livermore from 6:30-8:30. Fees will increase on December 4th. Bah Humbug Run The San Ramon Parks & Community Services calls for everyone to come out and start the Holiday Season with a healthy fun run or walk with its annual San Ramon Bah Humbug 5K Run & Walk, on Saturday, December 7. This very flat and fast 5K (3.1 miles) certified course will follow through the weekend-quiet and monitored streets of Bishop Ranch Business Park. Bah Humbug proceeds will go directly back into the San Ramon Parks & Community Services programs. Trophies will go to the top male Samantha Anderson (13) of Livermore aced hole #6 at the Pleasanton Golf Course on Nov. 17. This is her first hole-in-one. Pictured is Samantha with LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Director Dana Dormann. and female finishers, and medals will be awarded three deep in designated age groups for both male and female participants (check application or Web site for age-groups). Costume awards will go be given for the “Most GrinchLike,” “Holiday Spirit,” and “Group Theme.” All participants who wear their holiday garb will receive a special “Bah Humbug” Tree Ornament. 5K Entry fees: Single: $40.00. Participants will receive the famous Bah Humbug long-sleeved T-shirt, and plenty of before and after-race goodies and beverages. Check-in and race day registration opens at 7:30 a.m., at Bishop Ranch II, 2694 Bishop Drive (corner of Camino Ramon & Bollinger Canyon Rd.), in San Ramon (East side of freeway 680). Both, the run and walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. For more Bah Humbug 5K Run & Walk information, contact the San Ramon Parks & Community Services at 925-973-3200. On Your Mark Events will provide Timing and results of this event. To pre-register for this event, entrants can either download this application and send in with money or online, at Active.com Early Opening for Traditional Christmas Display The biggest and best holiday display in Livermore is set to open on Saturday, November 30 at 6:30 pm, a week earlier than usual. There was a short span between normal opening day and Christmas this year, so the crew has stepped up efforts to open early so more visitors have a chance to walk through. A holiday tradition now in its 31st year, this year’s display is sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit. The front yard of Deacon Dave Rezendes’ home at 352 Hillcrest Ave in Livermore, Casa del Pomba, is visited by over 40,000 guests each year. The theme each year changes, and is always kept a secret until opening night ceremonies. On November 30, the home and yard will be dark as a candlelight procession makes its way down the blocked off street. Members of the community are welcome to join the procession which will feature the St. Michael’s choir leading Deacon Dave and Santa and Mrs. Claus to the home. There is a blessing of the lights, the theme is announced, and the lights are turned on. At that time, guests are invited to walk through the yard. Members of the non-profit groups Good News Bears and PEO will help Deacon celebrate his special night by serving refreshments. Visitors wishing to support the group are invited to bring a new stuffed animal or cash donation to help them meet the ever-increasing need for “stuffed love” at shelters, hospitals, and emergency services. Find out more about their work at www.goodnewsbears.org and http://www.peointerna- tional.org/ In 2012, the theme was “Elfland.” Over 40,000 guests entered under huge stars arching over the driveway. Elves were shown doing what they do in their daily lives! A barber shop, their dormitory rooms, and even a movie theater showing Christmas classics were some of the scenes. Throughout the yard there were over 325,000 lights glowing and lighting up the night sky. More and more LED lights are added each year. This year, each light is not only a prayer for peace, but for those suffering from illness, especially cancer. Ap- proximately 30 volunteers work hard throughout the year to put on the display. They are from many faiths, and welcome guests of all faiths. Santa loves to visit, and makes times in his busy schedule to stop by often during the season. Check the website for Santa’s scheduled visits. This year, a photo backdrop has been added to allow for photos. Deacon Dave opens his yard through January 1st. The hours are 6 pm to 9:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 pm until 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday. The gates may be closed during inclement Fair Trade Holiday Boutique Fri & Sat, Nov. 29 & 30, 9am-5pm 1656 Calcite Ct, Livermore | 925-518-3465 ValleyCare Thrift Shop END OF THE MONTH SALE This Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EVERYTHING IN THE STORE 1/2 OFF! 1911 Second Street, Livermore Avoid the Thanksgiving weekend shopping craziness! Buy fashion-forward jewelry, bags, apparel & holiday decor, all handmade by fair trade artisans from around the world. Enjoy refreshments, a leisurely holiday shopping pace, & the joy of buying “gifts that give back.” See web site to preview our products: www.FairTradeDesigns.com weather, although every effort is made to leave the lights glowing. There is no admission charge. All the donations collected in the coin toss, ponds, and at the door are for Santa’s Secret Service. This program has provided a visiting Santa, carolers, and gifts to area nursing homes, shelters, and hospitals for over 50 years. Visit www.casadelpomba. com for more information on the display, Santa’s Secret Service, and Deacon Dave’s family history. A big thank you to Unforgettable Memories for the opening night sound system; Good News Bears for serving refresh- ments; and the fantastic crew who makes it all happen. Check out the webcam at www.casadelpomba.com/ webcam.htm and see the happy smiles on visitors. Reed Plumbing Livermore, CA (925) 371-5671 [email protected] License #601931 PAGE 8 - The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Open Heart Kitchen Seeks Donations of Frozen Turkeys for Upcoming Holiday Season Open Heart Kitchen (OHK), the only hot meal program in the Tri-Valley area, is appealing to Tri-Valley residents and businesses to make donations of frozen turkeys in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. “The optimal size is a 10-14 pound turkey that can feed a family with some leftovers,” according to OHK Executive Director Linda McKeever. “The associated non-perishable holiday meal fixings are also very much appreciated during this time, such as stuffing mix, canned pumpkin and cranberry sauce, etc.,” adds McKeever. More than 1,500 turkeys are needed to meet the need of the region’s hungry each holiday season. Last November, Open Heart Kitchen and other local food pantries received a new refrigeration/ frozen food storage unit in which to store such dona- tions. Frozen turkey donations can be delivered to the dining room of Ridgeview Commons Senior Center, located at 5200 Case Avenue, Pleasanton, Monday through Friday from10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about food donations to Open Heart Kitchen, please contact the Operations Director at (925) 580-6793. Open Heart Kitchen feeds the hungry every weekday as an interfaith effort, and serves more than 260,000 meals annually. There is no qualifying process to receive meals. Meals can be eaten at OHK’s multiple serving sites, or taken to go. OHK works in cooperation with the Alameda County Community Food Bank, more than a dozen local food pantries, and various Tri-Valley non-profits with missions to promote nutrition and hunger relief. Wheels annual Stuff-aBus holiday food drive is coming to a bus near you. Help brighten the holidays for those in need. From December 9 through 16, Wheels is offering free rides for a donation of any amount of non-perishable food items onboard any Wheels bus. All proceeds benefit the local Tri-Valley Food Pantry and Open Heart Kitchen. “Let’s gather together to help our Tri-Valley neigh- bors in need during this holiday season. I encourage the public to join us and “stuff a bus” with any amount of non-perishable food items. In return, Wheels will provide free bus service for your generous donation,” said Chair of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority Board, Jerry Thorne. During this one week holiday food drive, passengers simply board any Wheels bus, place the donation into the food donation bin and automatically receive a free ride. Food donation bins will be placed onboard all Wheels buses. Every year, especially during the holidays, local food banks are in need of essential supplies. The wish list for donations are; canned fruits, meats and vegetables, peanut butter, cereal, jelly and coffee. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted onboard all Wheels buses and the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority Administrative Office located at 1362 Rutan Ct, Suite 100, Livermore. Donations made to the Administrative Office will be given a free ride pass. Please check for expired food items prior to donating. For more information on this event or for assistance planning your trip, call Wheels Customer Service at (925) 455-7500. Visit us online at www.wheelsbus.com. New Gifts and Toys Needed Wheels Sponsoring Annual Stuff a Bus Food Drive For Tri-Valley Families Tri-Valley Haven’s Holiday Program helps survivors of domestic and sexual violence, low income and homeless families celebrate the holidays by providing them with gifts and food. The Haven’s Holiday Program fosters independence and empowerment. Families pick out their own gifts and create their own holiday traditions. The Haven relies heavily on the support of the local community to make this event successful. Needed are donations of cash, gift cards, new toys, and gifts for teens, women, children, men and seniors. New, non-violent gifts and toys may be dropped off at Tri-Valley Haven’s Holiday Site: Asbury Methodist Church, 4743 East Avenue in Livermore on Tuesday, December 3rd, Wednesday, December 4th, Thursday, December 5th, Monday, December 9th, Tuesday, December 10th, and Wednesday, December 11th from 10 am – 4 pm. Gifts may also be dropped off at both ValleyEye Care locations: 28 Fenton Street in Livermore and 5575 W Las Positas Blvd #240 in Pleasanton through Friday, December 6th. For information, please call Christine at Tri-Valley Haven at (925) 667-2707. Every year around Veterans Day, the Labs' veterans group (Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Armed Forces Veterans Association or “LLLAFVA” for short) and the Alameda County Firefighters Association sponsor a fund-raising motor cycle ride from the main site to S300. The firefighters always give their proceeds to the Alameda County Food Bank and the veterans choose a vet related charity each year. This year, the veterans choose Operation SAM to donate their portion of the funds to. Also, various programs on site conduct collections for deployed troops and local needy families around the holidays. Operation SAM is a Livermore based non-profit group. The collection process for the NMTP wide drive was started and has been coordinated by Malia Alcuran, with the assistance of several dedicated helpers thru out the various organizations within NMTP. Pictured are Mike Silva (LLLAFVA), Malia Alcuran (NMTP), Penny Redmon (OperationSAM), and Roy Warner (LLLAFVA) presenting Penny with the cashier’s check for $835. In the background are some of the numerous care packages that were boxed up for the Christmas shipment to the troops in Afghanistan. The funds will help pay the postage for these boxes. Giving Tree Located at Pleasanton Police Dept. With the Christmas season almost upon us once again the Pleasanton Police Officers’ Charitable Foundation (PPOCF) would like to give back to the community with its annual Giving Tree Program. The PPOCF will be collecting gifts for specific local families and senior citizens who are in need of special care this holiday season. The Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley and the Pleasanton Unified School District have identified local families and adults they recognize as being in need of a little extra cheer this season. Community members, businesses, and communities of faith are being asked to participate. Those interested in helping to spread some Christmas joy this season stop by the Pleasanton Police Department beginning Nov. 29, and pick up a gift tag off the Giving Tree. Each tag indicates a specific item family and senior have requested. Due to a great demand, PPOCF will be unable to assist additional families or individuals. It will not be accepting addtional requests for gifts, nor can it accept walk-ins at the police station. For more information, please contact Dispatcher Betsy Jones by email at [email protected] or at (925) 931-5100. Livermore Cinemas frozen (pg) dlp 11:40 1:00 2:10 3:45 4:456:457:209:259:45 frozen (pg) DLP-3d12:00 2:40 5:20 8:00 homefront (r) dlp 1:30 4:25 7:05 9:45 hunger games: catching fire (pg13) dlp-cc11:4512:45 3:00 4:006:157:159:30 hunger games: catching fire (pg13) dlp-dbox1:455:008:15 hunger games: catching fire (pg13) dlp 2:15 5:30 8:45 delivery man (pg13) dlp 1:10 4:05 6:50 9:35 thor: the dark world (pg13) dlp 1:00 4:00 7:00 9:50 Las Vegas (pg13) DLP 1:20 4:10 7:15 9:55 ender’s game (pg13) DLP 9:20 free birds (pg) DLP 12:10 2:30 4:45 7:05 captain phillips (PG13) dlp 12:35 3:40 6:45 9:40 Photos - Doug Jorgensen Holiday shopping kicked off in downtown Livermore and Pleasanton with Earlier Than the Bird last Saturday. In Livermore, there was music, as shoppers went from store to store. Livermore Mayor John Marchand commented, "Over 400 people were in the downtown in their pajamas. They were carrying shopping bags and buying things. Everyone was having a lot of fun." He reminded residents, "Don't forget small business Saturday this weekend. Keep tax dollars here." Pictured in Livermore (at left) are Mary Dyer and Ellen Lockhart with Avery, age 3. In the photo at right, Pleasanton shoppers Karen Garibaldi and Lacy Garibaldi with Sophia. strolled down Main Street in search of bargains. Businesses Gear Up for Small Business Saturday The City of Pleasanton, along with the Pleasanton Downtown Association, Visit Tri-Valley, Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce and Hacienda Business Park, are working together to encourage the community to not only shop in Pleasanton on November 30th, Small Business Saturday, but consider shopping "small" to support our local businesses this holiday season. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country during one of the busiest shopping times of the year. Shoppers are encouraged to visit inPleasanton.com to discover all of Pleasanton's retail shop locations and shopsmall.com to find local merchants that have joined the Small Business Saturday campaign. The Pleasanton Community Concert Band Presents A Winter Concert December 1, 2013 • 2:00 PM Firehouse Arts Center 4444 Railroad Ave, Pleasanton, CA “International Holiday” Holiday Classics from around the world Concert is free, though donations are welcome. For more information: Call (925) 846-5897 or visit website: www.pleasantonband.org Mexican Food Now Open For Breakfast Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-8pm, Sat 6am-6pm 2852 Kitty Hawk Road, Livermore (925) 294-9005 ВЅ PRICE Get a EntrГ©e for ВЅ OFF with purchase of any entrГ©e EntrГ©e must be equal or lesser value. Not valid with any other offer. Expires January 6, 2014. Holiday in the Vineyards December 7th & 8th 12 noon to 5 p.m. Arts, Crafts and Specialty Food Vendors Complimentary Hot Chocolate & Cookies Port Special! 3 bottles for the price of 2! Cantabella Children’s Choir Join in the caroling! Saturday, December 7th 1356 S. Livermore Avenue Hours: Tue-Fri 12-2pm, Sat-Sun 12-4:30pm, Mon-Closed (925) 447-8941 The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 - PAGE 9 Toys and Coats Collection Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has launched its annual Toys for Tots program in partnership with the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and its One Warm Coat clothing drive. Both holiday campaigns run from now until December 13. A total of 45 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices in Northern California will serve as official collection centers for new, unwrapped toys for needy children in our communities. Members of the United States Marine Corps Reserve will pick up the toys from each collection center and deliver them to charitable organizations and social welfare agencies in the area just in time for the holidays. Additionally, the public is encouraged to donate new and gently used winter items for the homeless and needy in their local communities as part of the annual One Warm Coat drive. A total of 32 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices will act as donation collection centers for coats, sweaters, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, mittens, towels and blankets. Donations will be sent to local organizations benefiting those in need. “Our annual Toys for Tots and One Warm Coat collections gives our agents, staff and members of the community an opportunity to come together to help those most in need,” said Norman Francis Boyd Norman Francis Boyd, 3rd generation native San Franciscan, died peacefully November 11, 2013. Born Oct. 7, 1933 in S.F., CA. he resided there until moving to Novato, CA where he lived half the year along w i t h HI. until 2007, when he moved to Liverm o r e CA. at which time he was lovingly cared for by his niece Heather, nephew in law (Brian), grandnephew Blake and favorite dog (Patch) Cass. Norman immersed himself in local culture of HI. He took great pride in participating in the building and launching a Wa’akaulua and the Heiau. Norman studied for his Mariner’s pilot’s lic. He was an avid deep sea fisherman and appeared in the Hawaiian Times for his record catches including a prized 587 pound Marlon. Norman also fished the Farralones and S. F. Bay area. Norman loved the Giants and NASCAR (#24 J.G.) but his favorite team was the 49ers so it is fitting he finishes out his last year with them in Candlestick. Norm loved food and was a great cook. Upon graduation from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in 1953, Norman served in the Korean War and received his diploma with his life time best friends Charles Cid (Betty) and Father Capitalo. Norman worked for the City and County of San Francisco in the Water Department for over 35 years. Prior to completion of his Journeyman Plumbers Apprenticeship he worked at Southern Pacific Railway. An active member of Local Rick Turley, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “We look forward to these campaigns each winter because it’s a gift for us to be able to make the holidays a little brighter for thousands of families. We encourage the public to join us by donating new, unwrapped toys and warm clothing that will undoubtedly bring smiles to so many faces.” Individuals interested in donating a new, unwrapped toy to the Toys for Tots program may do so at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices in Berkeley, Castro Valley, Danville, Fremont, Oakland-Piedmont, Pleasanton, and Walnut Creek. Individuals interested in donating warm clothing and items to One Warm Coat may do so at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices in Berkeley, Castro Valley, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek. The Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Pleasanton is located at 5980 Stoneridge Dr., Suite 122, Pleasanton; 847-2200. Holiday Hike A Holiday Hill Hike will be led by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District ranger staff on Sat., Nov. 30. Meet Ranger Glen Florey at 10 a.m. at Sycamore Grove Park, 1051 Wetmore Road. Feeling guilty from the over-indulgence of Thanksgiving? Overwhelmed by the crowds of Black Friday? Join this hike to the top of # 38 he frequently served on the Plumbers Picnic Committee at Konocti Harbor in Clearlake CA. Norman is preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Geraldine Boyd, stepmother Constance Tourney Boyd, sister, Lisbeth and niece Judith. He is survived by his uncle George (Tom) and Theresa O’Connell, aunt Adrienne Antonini, sisters Roberta R. Boyd and Lauren McLachlan (Kevin); nieces Karen Wonacott (Scott), Maribeth Cook (Joel), Heather Cass (Brian), Cheyenne Bryant (Jeremy); nephews Edward Johnston II, Kenneth Johnston (Maria), David McHenry (Kristin); cousin Tino O’Connell; grandnephews Joey Cook, Kevin Cook, Marcus Rosenbaum, Aedan Bryant; grandniece Krystal Haselbach (Karl); grandnephew Blake Cass, and great grand nephew Kaelen Haselbach. A private service is planned with internment at The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Formal service held at St. Ignatius Chapel, 2001 37th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116 with reception to follow at the Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94116. A small celebration of life will be held for local friends Dec. 3rd at 9:30, at Callaghan Mortuary, 3833 East Avenue in Livermore . Donations may be made to St. Ignatius College Prep, In loving memory of Norman Boyd Class of ’53. Raul Mario Martinez April 13, 1960 – Nov. 21, 2013 Resident of Livermore Raul Mario Martinez was born April 13, 1960 in Los Angeles, CA to Mario and Ida Martinez. He entered into heaven on November 21, 2013 at home in Livermore, CA. Caring for the Tri-Valley for over 30 years! Have a Flexible Spending Account? LASIK, prescription glasses and sunglasses, contact lenses, and eye care services are a great way to use money in your Flexible Spending Account. Call us today to schedule a free LASIK consultation, update your glasses prescription, see our extensive selection of fashion eyewear, or order contact lenses before December 31. Call today to set up an appointment or come in and visit our optical department where our vision care experts are happy to assist you to SEE YOUR BEST AND LOOK YOUR BEST! Jonathan Savell, M.D., Michael Gagnon, M.D., Kala Swamynathan, M.D.,Gina Trentacosti, O.D., Jimmy Yip, O.D., Kien Ngo, O.D. Valley EyeCare Center Medical Associates 925-460-5000 5575 W. Las Positas Blvd. #240, Pleasanton 925-449-4000 28 Fenton Street, Livermore www.ValleyEyeCareCenter.com *With a VEC Prescription Valley View Trail, the highest trail in the park. This hike will go rain or shine, but if it is or has been raining, be prepared for mud. There is a $5 per vehicle parking fee at either entrance to Sycamore Grove Park. A $2 donation is requested to help support the programs unless other fees are specified. Participants may call 925-960-2400 for more information. Yoga for Cyclists Yoga for Cyclists workshop will be offered Sun., Dec. 1 from noon to 2:30 p.m. Whether a recreational or competitive cyclist, one thing is certain: some muscle groups can be overused in some areas of the body, and not utilize others. Join Caryne Mount - RYT an avid cyclist, to discover how to incorporate yoga as a beneficial tool as part of cycling. In this workshop at Dragonfly Yoga and Wellness, Caryne will share yoga postures and other information. Caryne Mount, RYT 200, moved to competitive cycling after competively running for over ten years. She bike raced both road and track competitively, nationally and locally. Fee is $30. For information go to www.dragonflyyogaandwellness.com; 171 South J Street, Livermore. Toy Store in downtown Livermore on December 7 from 12pm-4pm to sign her new book, "Angel and Evie Catching a Unicorn." She will also be demonstrating how she draws her “Doodle Ponies." The program will be repeated on December 14 from 2pm-4pm at Cooleykatz Toys. Liz is a Livermore resident and has been training dressage horses for the last 20 years. Angel and Evie Catching a Unicorn is her first book. It tells the tale of a little girl who dreams of catching a unicorn and, in a charming twist of fate, a unicorn who dreams of enchanting a little girl. On Dec. 15, Liz will be at Greenville Equestrian Center, 4180 Greenville Rd, Livermore. Join Saddle2ride and Elizabeth Hendrix for an open house and book signing. Come and meet the ponies and learn to draw, and meet the author of Angel and Evie: Catching a unicorn. Saddle2ride is a horse back riding school offering beginner to advanced riding lessons. Liz Hendrix, long time dressage trainer and rider, will have for sale her newly released book Angel and Evie: Catching a Unicorn. Liz will be happy to personalize and sign all books. Book Signings and Doodle Ponies Teen Awards Available He leaves behind his wife, Annette, who has been with him for 39 years. He also leaves behind his three sons: Mario, Mike, and Raul Jr. Martinez. He has nine grandchildren: Mario Jr., Angel, Dominque, Armondo, Theresa, Isaiah, Mikey, Lavina, and Mauricio Martinez who will miss him greatly. He had eleven brothers and sisters: Alice, Ronnie, Albert, Julie, Gary, and Mercy Martinez, and Javier, Jesse, Johnny, and Ruby Plazola. He also raised his son’s friends, Harry Saez and Raymond Zapata. Raul loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed life, listening to music, playing musical instruments, working on cars, and building and fixing things. He was creative, crafty, and cool. He raised his siblings and many of his sons’ friends. He was good hearted, kind and strong. He was the leader of the family and highly respected by everyone who knew him. He is loved dearly and will be missed tremendously by all who knew him. The funeral services to celebrate Raul’s life was held at St. Michael’s Church on November 27, 2013, followed by a mass. his grandparents and at ten years old he moved with his Mom and Dad to Perryopolis, Pennsylvania. His early years were filled with big family dinners on Sundays, swimming in the Monongahela River and trapping in the woods. He graduated from South Union High School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania in 1962. After high school Rudy enlisted in the Marine Corps and just a week after graduation he left for basic training at Parris Island. During his time in the Marines Rudy qualified as an expert marksman and also trained as an under water demolition expert. Throughout his life, Rudy remained proud of his military service and always lived by the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fi”. In 1966 Rudy married Joyce Komlo. After a honeymoon in Miami, Florida they started their lives together in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As their family began to grow Rudy started a career in auto marketing and finance that would last 40 years. Job opportunities would take them across the country to Delaware, Idaho and California. Together they raised two daughters. Rudy and Joyce were happily married and the envy of all who knew them for 47 years. Rudy was an active member and past president of the Italian Catholic Federation branch 285. He also belonged to Saint Augustine’s Church where throughout the past 40 years he has given his time and talent to the church choir, the parish council and the Knights of Columbus. Book signing, Liz Hendrix, author and illustrator, will be at the Woopsiedaisy Rudy D’Angelo Sept. 6, 1941 – Nov. 21, 2013 Rudy D’Angelo, 72, passed away on November 21, 2013 at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California. Rudy was born on September 6, 1941 in Pennsylvania to Jerry and Marie D’Angelo. He grew up in California, Pennsylvania in a home upstairs from The Helen Diller Family Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, an awards program that recognizes up to 10 Jewish teens with $36,000 each for exceptional leadership and visionary actions that are helping to repair the world. Up to five teens from California and five from other communities across the country will be acknowledged for their sociallyminded volunteer service. Visit www.dillerteenawards. org to begin the nomination process. Deadline for nominations is January 5, 2014. Bay Area Philanthropist Helen Diller began a major commitment in 2007 to support California Jewish teens who exemplify the spirit of tikkun olam—a central Jewish precept meaning to repair the world. Teens may be nominated by any community member who knows the value of their project — except a family member— or may self-nominate. Each candidate must be a U.S. resident aged 13-19 years old at the time of nomination, and must selfidentify as Jewish. Community service projects may benefit the general or Jewish community, locally, nationally or world-wide. Teens compensated for their services are not eligible. To nominate a teen, complete the simple online form at www.dillerteenawards. org. For more information email dillerteenawards@ sfjcf.org or call (415) 5126432. Band Review on TV Anyone who knew Rudy described him as an incredibly kind man who would make time for anyone. He enjoyed just taking the time to sit and visit and would entertain his family and friends for hours with his talent for telling a story. Rudy loved to read, watch movies and cook. Whenever possible he loved to travel. Rudy especially enjoyed visiting Hawaii and had an impressive Hawaiian shirt collection. With his five grandchildren close by he spent many hours on the soccer field, in the stands at football games and at music and ballet recitals and was his grandchildren’s biggest fan. When you sat with Rudy to talk for a while he would tell you he had a wonderful childhood. That he was blessed with a wonderful wife and daughters and that his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He would say it was a wonderful life. Rudy is survived by his wife Joyce of Pleasanton, California; his children Denean Hanson (Wesley) of Livermore, California, and Paige D’Angelo of Sacramento, California; his grandchildren Wesley, Claire, Rachel, Luke and Julia Hanson; and his many cousins, nieces and nephews. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Marie D’Angelo and his sister Phyllis D’Angelo. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial vigil on Friday November 29, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church, 3999 Bernal Avenue, Pleasanton. A funeral mass with the burial to follow will be held at St. Augustine Church on Saturday November 30, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Rudy’s name to the Toys for Tots, the John Paul II building fund at CCOP, Salvation Army or a charity of your choice. Every year since 1974, on the 4th Saturday in October, the top high school bands in Northern California and Nevada have gathered in Pleasanton for the Foothill Band Review. On October 26, 2013, for the 39th time, the city of Pleasanton and Foothill High School hosted the biggest and most competitive band review in this area of the country with over 50 high schools participating. It is currently airing on TV28 Mondays at 4 p.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m. The 2013 Foothill Band Review may be viewed on Comcast TV channel 28 and AT&T U-verse via channel 99 as well as streaming live on the Tri-Valley TV website at www.trivalleytv.org. Design Dublin Park Design is currently underway for a 4.4-acre neighborhood park located in the Jordan Ranch Development, coming to Dublin in early 2015. Residents are encouraged to complete a survey to provide input on the design and desired amenities for the park. The park site is located in Neighborhood 1 of the Jordan Ranch Development, and is bounded by Jordan Ranch Drive on the north, east, and west, and by the open space pedestrian path on the south. Fill out the survey that can be found at www.dublin. ca.gov/ Karol Holm Karol Holm, age 79 of Livermore, passed away on Thursd a y, N o vember 14, 2013. S h e w a s born to the late Kenn e t h a n d Anona Dukelow in 1934. She graduated from Saint Rose Academy and went on to earn a degree in chemistry. She was an accomplished needlepoint artist, a loving wife and mother and a loyal and generous friend known for her intelligence, her quick wit and her sense of humor. She will be missed by many. Karol is survived by her son John Holm, her daughter- in- law Julie Holm and her granddaughter Allison Holm. Karol will be reunited with her husband Bob Holm, who passed away in 2000. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 12 p.m. at Callaghan’s Mortuary, 3833 East Avenue Livermore CA 94550. Obituary/ Memoriam Policies Obituaries are published in The Independent at no charge. There is a small charge for photographs in the obituaries. Memoriam ads can also be placed in The Independent when families want to honor the memories of their loved ones. There is a charge for memoriam ads, based on the size of the ad. Please send an email to [email protected] PAGE 10 - The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Park It: By Ned MacKay Park Renamed in Honor of Sylvia McLaughlin It’s now officially McLaughlin Eastshore State Park. An entrance sign was unveiled in a ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Berkeley Meadow area on University Avenue and Frontage Road, honoring longtime environmental activist Sylvia McLaughlin. Sylvia McLaughlin co-founded Save the San Francisco Bay Association in 1961 after she and other community activists became alarmed by indiscriminate filling of the bay, destroying wildlife habitat and eliminating public access. Subsequently she cofounded Citizens for Eastshore State Park along with Dwight Steele and other community volunteers. During the past forty years, she has been active in many other grassroots efforts to preserve and protect the bay shoreline. Eastshore State Park extends for 8 ВЅ miles along the bay front between Oakland and Richmond. It offers hiking and bicycling LEGAL NOTICES FOR INFORMATION PLACING LEGAL NOTICES Call 925-243-8000 SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NO. 1-11-CV202525 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDO): ERIC DEBLASI, an individual and DOES 4 THROUGH 100, inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): trails, spectacular views, and areas set aside for wildlife habitat. Programs highlighting the return of monarch butterflies to Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont continue with slide shows and walks from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30. The butterflies rest in Ardenwood’s eucalyptus groves annually from approximately November through January, as part of their multigenerational migratory life cycle. The phenomenon can be spectacular, as the butterflies cling to the trees like living shingles, occasionally taking flight in clouds of orange and black. Ardenwood is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84 in Fremont. For information on admission fees, call 888-327-2757, ext. 2797. Parking and the butterfly programs are free. No reservations are required. Antonio and Ines Ocegueda, Jorge Orejel and Gricelda Garcia and Judy Jones, and all others similarly situated NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in a proper legal form if you want the court to hear your Nearby Coyote Hills Regional Park plans a couple of interesting programs this weekend. From 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, naturalist Dino Labiste will lead a half-mile walk from the park’s visitor center to a reconstructed 2,000-yearold Ohlone village site. The site has a shade structure, pit house and sweat house. Along the way the group will see plants that provided food, medicine and tools for the Indians. Dino’s program repeats on Dec. 29. Then on Sunday Dec. 1, Coyote Hills will hold open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the visitor center, hosted by naturalist Bev Ortiz and friends. Visitors will be able to make nature-themed gift cards and stocking stuffers, sample hot, spiced apple cider and homemade treats, take tours of the visitor center and its exhibits, watch wildlife videos and go on scavenger hunts with case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an at- torney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Website (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. prizes. There will be raffles at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Gift items will be available for sale. Coyote Hills is located at 8000 Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle; the open house is free of charge. For information, call 888-327-2757, ext. 3220. It’s crab season at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda – but just to meet, not to eat. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29 for post-Thanksgiving activities. It’s an opportunity to watch live fish and crabs up close in the center aquarium, meet and greet the center’s resident gopher snake and turtle. There will be programs throughout the day showcasing the wildlife of San Francisco Bay. Compiling nature journals will be the theme of another Crab Cove program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, led by supervising natural- !AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir ensu contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.. Tien 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en lacorte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar ist Sharol Nelson-Embry. Fun activities will help to sharpen your observational skills. No drawing experience required. Both programs are free. Crab Cove Visitor Center is located at 1252 McKay Ave., off Central Avenue in Alameda. Admission is free. For information, call 510-544-3187. If you’d like to burn off some of the calories accumulated during the Thanksgiving Day feast, join naturalist Sara Fetterly for a 2 ВЅ-mile walk from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 29 at Redwood Regional Park in Oakland. It’s short, but a bit strenuous. Meet Sara at Redwood’s Skyline Gate staging area on Skyline Boulevard. Rain cancels. For information, call 510544-3187. On Sunday, Dec. 1, it’s Family Restoration Day at Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley. Naturalist James Wilson will host a program from 10:30 a.m. to noon estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar about nature’s interrelationships, and coordinate the removal of some invasive plants. The program is free, designed for ages eight and older. Meet at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center. Because of ongoing construction, you get there by parking at the end of Lone Oak Road off South Park Drive, and following the directional signs on foot to the center. For information, call 510-5442233. Bird watchers will enjoy a walk in search of waterfowl from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 at Waterbird Regional Preserve near Martinez, led by naturalist Eddie Willis. It’s free of charge, but registration is required. To register, call 888-327-2757. Select option 2 and refer to program number 4257. Eddie leads another bird walk at the same time on Dec. 15 at Bay Point Regional Shoreline in Bay Point. For that one, refer to program 4258. a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpia con los requisitos para obtener sevicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida me- diante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. Plaintiffs are seeking $982,812 in compensatory damages, $300,000 in punitive damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees, interest, and costs of suit. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA 191 N. FIRST STREET The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 - PAGE 11 SAN JOSE, CA 95113 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): CAM T. PHAN 1000 MARSH RD MENLO PARK, CA 94025 (650)614-7400 DATE: (Fecha): APRIL 3, 2013 s/: DAVID H. YAMASAKI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CLERK s/: Clerk, by (Secretario) ROWENA WALKER, Deputy (Adjunto) The Independent Legal No. 3552. Published November 7, 14, 21, 28, 2013. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 484344 The following person(s) doing business as: Open Lotus Wellness Center, 1617 Second Street, Livermore, CA 94550, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Divine Spiritual Healing, Inc, 1617 Second Street, Livermore CA 94550 This business is conducted by a Corporation The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. Signature of Registrants :s/: Sheila McCarthy, Officer of Divine Spiritual Healing, Inc. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on October 24, 2013. Expires October 24, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3556. Published November 7, 14, 21, 28, 2013. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 484674 The following person(s) doing business as: Dan’s Machine Shop, 241 North M Street, Livermore, CA 94551, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Danny S. Nudelman, 5635 Oakmont Circle, Livermore, CA 94551 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/15/13. Signature of Registrants :s/: Dan Nudelman This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on November 4, 2013. Expires November 4, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3559. Published November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 2013. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 484641-2 The following person(s) doing business as: (1)Guaranteed Parent Training (2)Misophonia Treatment Institute, 5801 Arlene Way, Livermore, CA 94550, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): (1)Thomas Hudson Dozier, II (2)Pamela Sue Dozier, 5801 Arlene Way, Livermore, CA 94550 This business is conducted by Married Couple The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on (1) 11/1/2003 (2) N/A. Signature of Registrants :s/: Thomas Hudson Dozier, II This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on November 1, 2013. Expires November 1, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3562. Published November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 2013. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 484676 The following person(s) doing business as: Trigmark, 7531 Rolling Hills Circle, Dublin, CA 94568, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Paul Abillana Alcantra, 7531 Rolling Hills Circle, Dublin, CA 94568 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. Signature of Registrants :s/: Paul A. Alcantra This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on November 4, 2013. Expires November 4, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3563. Published November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 2013. NOTICE of INVITING BIDS NOTICE is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted at the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, 24100 Amador Street, 6 th Floor, Room 610C, Hayward, CA 94544-1203 NON-MANDATORY NETWORKING BIDDERS CONFERENCES for RFP COSCCS 2014 Comprehensive One Stop Career Center Services NORTH COUNTY: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 9:30 AM, Emeryville Civic Center, Council Chambers, 1333 Park Ave., Emeryville, CASOUTH COUNTY: Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 1:00 PM, Ohlone College, 39399 Cherry St, Room 1102, Newark, CA Response Due by 2:00 pm on January 23, 2014 County Contact: Lazandra Dial at (510) 780-8768 or via email: [email protected] Attendance at Bidders Conference is not required. The RFP is available via the GSA website— www.acgov.org under Current Contracting Opportunities 11/28/13 CNS-2559766# THE INDEPENDENT Legal No. 3565 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on N/A. Signature of Registrants :s/: Laarni Theresa Ricafort This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on November 15, 2013. Expires November 15, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3569. Published November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2013. NOTICE of INVITING BIDS NOTICE is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted at the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, 24100 Amador Street, 6th Floor, Room 610C, Hayward, CA 945441203 NON-MANDATORY NETWORKING BIDDERS CONFERENCES for RFP SOSCCS 2014 Specialized One Stop Career Center Services NORTH COUNTY:Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 1:00 PM, Emeryville Civic Center, Council Chambers, 1333 Park Ave., Emeryville, CA SOUTH COUNTY: Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 9:30 AM, Ohlone College, 39399 Cherry St, Room 1102, Newark, CA Response Due by 2:00 pm on January 23, 2014 County Contact: Lazandra Dial at (510) 780-8768 or via email: [email protected] Attendance at Bidders Conference is not required. The RFP is available via the GSA website— www.acgov.org under Current Contracting Opportunities 11/28/13 CNS-2559832# THE INDEPENDENT Legal No. 3566 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 484931 The following person(s) doing business as: Eye For Design, 755 Rose Ave, Apt #1, Pleasanton, CA 94566, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Crystel Marie Squier, 755 Rose Ave, Apt #1, Pleasanton, CA 94566 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/24/2008. Signature of Registrants :s/: Crystel Squier This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on November 14, 2013. Expires November 14, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3570. Published November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2013. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 484750 The following person(s) doing business as: Pleasanton Ministerial Association, 6656 Alisal Street, Pleasanton, CA 94566, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Faith Chapel Assembly of God Pleasanton, 6656 Alisal Street, Pleasanton, CA 94566 This business is conducted by a Corporation The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/6/2013. Signature of Registrants :s/: Richard J. Rogers This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on November 6, 2013. Expires November 6, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3567. Published November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2013. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 484999 The following person(s) doing business as: Affinity for Beauty and Wellness Spa, 152 South K Street, Livermore, CA 94550, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Water Over Rocks LLC, 3133 Rodeo Lane, Livermore, CA 94550 This business is conducted by a Limited liability company The registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 10/1/2013. Signature of Registrants :s/: Krista Bean, Owner/ Manager This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda on November 14, 2013. Expires November 14, 2018. The Independent Legal No. 3568. Published November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 2013. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 485067 The following person(s) doing business as: Laafort, 11501 Dublin Blvd, #200, Dublin, CA 94568, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Laarni Theresa Ricafort, 4281 Clarinbridge Circle, Dublin, CA 94568 Advertisement for Bids 1.NOTICE. The ALAMEDA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL and WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, acting by and through its ZONE 7 WATER AGENCY (“District”) hereby gives notice that it will accept Bids for construction of the following public work: DISTRICT PROJECT NUMBER 233-14 PPWTP UF CLARIFIER CORROSION CONTROL UPGRADES PROJECT 2.BID SUBMISSION. District will receive sealed Bids no later than 2:00 p.m. on December 20, 2013. District’s representative will call out the designated time in the Zone 7 office lobby, stating that the period for accepting Bids is closed. The Bid opening will be in accordance with procedures set forth in Document 00200 (Instructions to Bidders). 3.CONTACT INFORMATION. Mailing address: Zone 7 Water Agency 100 North Canyons Parkway Livermore, CA 94551 Project Engineer: Mona Olmsted Telephone: (925) 454-5033 or (925) 454-5000 Fax: (925) 454-5726 E-mail: [email protected] 4.DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK. The Work consists of removal and disposal of all existing anodes within the existing clarifier, furnishing and installation of a new cathodic protection system within the clarifier, and coating repair work on the clarifier, appurtenances, and drive unit. Bidding Documents contain the full description of the Work. The Engineer’s estimate for this Contract is in the range of $80,000 to $100,000. 5.CONTRACT TIME. Work shall be finally completed before March 31, 2014. 6.REQUIRED CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE(S). The cathodic protection system work must be performed by a Contractor having a current California Class A - General Engineering Contractor license and the coating work must be performed by a Contractor or Subcontractor hav- ing a current California Class C-33 – Painting and Decorating Contractor license. Joint ventures must secure a joint venture license prior to award of this Contract. Removal, handling, and/or disposal of hazardous materials may by law require hazardous substance removal certification by the Contractor’s State License Board. 7.PREVAILING WAGE LAWS. The successful Bidder must comply with all prevailing wage laws applicable to the Project, and related requirements contained in the Contract Documents. 8.MANDATORY PRE-BID SITE VISIT. District will conduct a Mandatory PreBid Site Visit at 10:30 am on December 6, 2013 at the Project Site, 8750 Patterson Pass Road, Livermore, CA 94550. Any Bidder wishing to investigate subsurface conditions at the Site must schedule such a visit with the District in accordance with Document 00200 (Instructions to Bidders). 9.SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES. District will permit successful Bidder to substitute securities for retention monies withheld to ensure performance of Contract, as set forth in Document 00680 (Escrow Agreement for Security Deposits in Lieu of Retention), in accordance with California Public Contract Code, Section 22300. By this reference, Document 00680 (Escrow Agreement for Security Deposits in Lieu of Retention) is incorporated in full in this Document 00100. FERAL CAT FOUNDATION Cat & kitten adoptions now at the new Livermore Petco on Saturdays from 10:00AM to 2:30PM. We have many adorable, tame kittens that have been tested for FIV & FELV, altered & vaccinated. We also have adult cats & ranch cats for adoption. EMPLOYMENT 56) ADULT CARE Independent Contractors Wanted Senior Home Health Care Must have experience Senior Solutions, Inc (925)443-3101 BE WARY of out of area companies. Check with the local Better Business Bureau before you send money or fees. Read and understand any contracts before you sign. Shop around for rates. NOTICES/ANNOUNCEMENTS REAL ESTATE 155) NOTICES 168)LAND FOR SALE “NOTICE TO READERS: California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor and/or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. State law also requires that contractors include their license numbers on all advertising. Check your contractor’s status at www. cslb.ca.gov or (800)321CSLB (2752). Unlicensed persons taking jobs less than $500 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.” Classified Ads The Federal Fair Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and state law prohibit advertisements for housing and employment that contain any preference, limitation or discrimination based on protected classes, including race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. IVPC does not knowingly accept any advertisements that are in violation of the law. SHASTA COUNTY 1-acre trees, view, dirt road $1,900 down & $398.34/mo ($35,900 Cash Price) ALSO, 2 acres on paved road OWC Owner Please call (530)605-8857 or (707)465-0222 Inland Valley Publishing Co. Client Code:04126-00001 Re: Legal Notice for Horse / Ranch property TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Call (925)243-8000 MERCHANDISE 10366 S. Flynn Road, Livermore YARD SALE 5166 Sunrise Drive Livermore Saturday, November 30 8:00AM - 2:00PM Lots of stuff, including furniture, electronics, music equipment & classic records RealtorВ®, CRS, (925) 997-4905 [email protected] www.tri-valleyrealestate.com CalBRE#01347388 Accord OPEN SAT. 1-4 PM Offered at $1,499,000 For more details, visit www.sFlynnRd.com 127) LOST/ FOUND EMPLOYMENT ADS FOUND KITTEN Tame, Gray with white Vicinity of Livermore High Please call (925)381-6717 10.PROCUREMENT OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS. Bidders may examine Bidding Documents at the District’s offices. Bidders may obtain copies of Bidding Documents upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $25.00 per set. Bidders may contact the District’s main phone number at (925) 4545000 to order Bidding Documents. District will accept cash (exact amount only), checks, or money orders payable to the “Zone 7 Water Agency.” Bidding Documents need not be returned to District. Brad Slabaugh 112.82 +/- Acres! Quiet location! Horse Property with many other possible uses! Close to downtown & shopping! Approx. 2 miles NE from intersection of Greenville Road and Patterson Pass Road, nestled in a sleepy canyon. Charming “1890” residence features many modern updates, including solar system for low PG&E. Fantastic wrap-around porch & views! Multiple barns, outbuildings & a huge 4 car garage/shop. Horse arena too! 115) ESTATE/ GARAGE/ YARD SALES Reach Tri-Valley homes & businesses with an ad in The Independent Classified Section every week. The Independent mails your ads into businesses & homes. Call (925) 243-8000for information. Professionals Choice Real Estate Directory Local guide to the Valley’s Leading Real Estate Professionals & Services Ivy Fracisco Realty & Investments Livermore’s Top Producing Livermore’s Top Producing Real Estate Agent 2012 Ivy Real Esate Agent 2012 Livermore’s Top Producing www.IvyLoGerfo.com www.IvyLoGerfo.com Real Estate Agent 2012 Ivy Residential • Commercial • Property Mgmt 925 998-5312 (925) 998-5312 www.IvyLoGerfo.com (925) 998-8131 CalBRE#01267853 www.MikeFracisco.com Mike Fracisco 11.BID PREPARATION COST. Bidders are solely responsible for the cost of preparing their Bids. В® BRE #01267853 GENE WILLIAMS Sandee Utterback Mortgage Consultant, REALTORВ® (510) 390-0325 (888) 823-8315 CINDY WILLIAMS DRE#00855150 WWW.SANDEEU.COM CRS, GRI - REALTORВ® 12.RESERVATION OF RIGHTS. District specifically reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or all Bids, or re-bid, or to waive inconsequential deviations from Bid requirements not involving time, price, or quality of the Work. 925 998-5312 BRE #01267853 REALTOR DRE #01378428 (925) 243-0900 www.williamsteam.net “Specializing in Livermore’s Finest Homes” Over Three Decades of Experience!!! Gail Henderson Broker Associate, MPA Real Estate... A People Business Commercial • Residential (925) 980-5648 Experience, Honesty, Integrity www.gailhenderson.com CA DRE#01709171 Steve & Lorraine Mattos The Independent Legal No. 3571. Published November 28, December 5, 2013. 925.426.7978 пЂЃпЂ‚пЂѓпЂ„пЂ…пЂ†пЂ…пЂ‡пЂ€пЂ‰пЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂ€пЂ‹пЂ‚пЂЉпЂЊпЂЌпЂЋпЂ„пЂ†пЂЉпЂ„пЂЊпЂ€ MORTGAGE LOAN пЂЃпЂ‚пЂѓпЂ„пЂ…пЂ†пЂ…пЂ‡пЂ€пЂ‰пЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂ€пЂ‹пЂ‚пЂЉпЂЊпЂЌпЂЋпЂ„пЂ†пЂЉпЂ„пЂЊпЂ€ пЂЏпЂђпЂ‡пЂ‘пЂ’пЂ†пЂЋпЂ’пЂ“пЂ’пЂЉпЂ…пЂ€пЂ’пЂЉпЂ€пЂ‹пЂ†пЂЋпЂ”пЂ‡пЂ„пЂ€пЂ†пЂЉпЂ•пЂ€пЂ€ пЂЏпЂђпЂ‡пЂ‘пЂ’пЂ†пЂЋпЂ’пЂ“пЂ’пЂЉпЂ…пЂ€пЂ’пЂЉпЂ€пЂ‹пЂ†пЂЋпЂ”пЂ‡пЂ„пЂ€пЂ†пЂЉпЂ•пЂ€пЂ€ CONSULTANTS 2) CATS/ DOGS пЂ”пЂ–пЂ€пЂ—пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ‡пЂ€пЂ‰пЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂЊпЂ€ Specializing in пЂ”пЂ–пЂ€пЂ—пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ‡пЂ€пЂ‰пЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂЊпЂ€ ADOPT A DOG OR CAT, пЂ™пЂљпЂљпЂ›пЂ€пЂњпЂ’пЂЉпЂ†пЂЉпЂ‘пЂ’пЂЉпЂ…пЂ€пЂќпЂ‚пЂ€пЂћпЂ€пЂџпЂ‚пЂ пЂЉпЂ€ www.rockcliff.com for adoption information VA, CalVet, FHA and пЂ™пЂљпЂљпЂ›пЂ€пЂњпЂ’пЂЉпЂ†пЂЉпЂ‘пЂ’пЂЉпЂ…пЂ€пЂќпЂ‚пЂ€пЂћпЂ€пЂџпЂ‚пЂ пЂЉпЂ€ пЂЎпЂ‡пЂ€пЂ†пЂѓпЂ‡пЂ€пЂўпЂ‡пЂѓпЂ‡пЂ€пЂ„пЂ‚пЂ€пЂўпЂ‡пЂЋпЂђпЂ€пЂЈпЂ‚пЂЌпЂ¤пЂ€ [email protected] contact Valley Humane Conventional Home Loans пЂЎпЂ‡пЂ€пЂ†пЂѓпЂ‡пЂ€пЂўпЂ‡пЂѓпЂ‡пЂ€пЂ„пЂ‚пЂ€пЂўпЂ‡пЂЋпЂђпЂ€пЂЈпЂ‚пЂЌпЂ¤пЂ€ DRE #00315981 Society at пЂ‹пЂ†пЂЋпЂЋпЂ€пЂ„пЂ‚пЂ•пЂ†пЂЈпЂ€пЂҐпЂ‚пЂѓпЂ€пЂ†пЂ€пЂ€ RentпЂҐпЂѓпЂ‡пЂ‡пЂ€пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂЉпЂЊпЂЌпЂЋпЂ„пЂ†пЂ„пЂ’пЂ‚пЂЉпЂ¦пЂ€пЂ€ vs. Buy... 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Adopt a new best friend: пЂҐпЂѓпЂ‡пЂ‡пЂ€пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂЉпЂЊпЂЌпЂЋпЂ„пЂ†пЂ„пЂ’пЂ‚пЂЉпЂ¦пЂ€пЂ€ SABRINA BASCOM TVAR, the Tri-Valley Animal пЂҐпЂ‚пЂѓпЂ€пЂЋпЂ‡пЂЊпЂЊпЂ€ пЂЎпЂўпЂЈпЂ€пЂѓпЂ‡пЂЉпЂ„пЂ€пЂ пЂўпЂ‡пЂЉпЂ€пЂЈпЂ‚пЂЌпЂ€пЂ‘пЂ†пЂЉпЂ€пЂ‚пЂ пЂЉпЂ€ Barbara Duterte Michelle Johnston Rescue, offers animals for (925) 337-0194 пЂ§пЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ€пЂџпЂЌпЂ„пЂ‡пЂѓпЂ„пЂ‡ пЂЃпЂ’пЂ‘пЂўпЂ‡пЂЋпЂЋпЂ‡пЂ€пЂ»пЂ‚пЂўпЂЉпЂЊпЂ„пЂ‚пЂЉпЂ€ DRE#00958930 / NMLS#260672 DRE#01801753 / NMLS#261098 adoption every Saturday пЂҐпЂ‚пЂѓпЂ€пЂЋпЂ‡пЂЊпЂЊпЂ€ [email protected] ANIMALS пЂ€ пЂџпЂ©пЂЄпЂ€пЂ«пЂљпЂљпЂ¬пЂпЂ®пЂ¬пЂЇпЂљпЂ€пЂ°пЂ€пЂќпЂЃпЂ‰пЂЏпЂ€пЂ«пЂ±пЂІпЂљпЂІпЂіпЂ±пЂ€ пЂџпЂ©пЂЄпЂ€пЂ«пЂљпЂ™пЂ®пЂљпЂ™пЂіпЂпЂЇпЂ€пЂ°пЂ€пЂќпЂЃпЂ‰пЂЏпЂ€пЂ«пЂ±пЂІпЂ™пЂљпЂ¬пЂ®пЂ€ (925) 963-9572 (925) 784-1169 пЂґпЂ¬пЂ±пЂпЂµпЂ€пЂ¬пЂІпЂЇпЂ¶пЂ¬пЂпЂіпЂ±пЂ€ пЂґпЂ¬пЂ±пЂпЂµпЂ€пЂ€пЂіпЂ®пЂјпЂ¶пЂ™пЂ™пЂІпЂ¬пЂ€ and Sunday, excluding пЂ€ [email protected] [email protected] пЂ§пЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ·пЂЋпЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂЊпЂЁпЂЈпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ пЂЃпЂ»пЂ‚пЂўпЂЉпЂЊпЂ„пЂ‚пЂЉпЂ·пЂ�пЂ‚пЂѓпЂ„пЂ…пЂ†пЂ…пЂ‡пЂ�пЂ†пЂѓпЂёпЂ‡пЂ„пЂ¦пЂЉпЂ‡пЂ„пЂ€ most holidays. On SaturпЂџпЂ©пЂЄпЂ€пЂ«пЂљпЂљпЂ¬пЂпЂ®пЂ¬пЂЇпЂљпЂ€пЂ°пЂ€пЂќпЂЃпЂ‰пЂЏпЂ€пЂ«пЂ±пЂІпЂљпЂІпЂіпЂ±пЂ€ пЂџпЂ©пЂЄпЂ€пЂ«пЂљпЂ™пЂ®пЂљпЂ™пЂіпЂпЂЇпЂ€пЂ°пЂ€пЂќпЂЃпЂ‰пЂЏпЂ€пЂ«пЂ±пЂІпЂ™пЂљпЂ¬пЂ®пЂ€ пЂ пЂ пЂ пЂ¦пЂ‹пЂ†пЂЋпЂ”пЂ‡пЂ„пЂ¶пЂ”пЂ–пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ пЂ пЂ пЂ пЂ¦пЂЋпЂ‡пЂЉпЂ•пЂ‡пЂѓпЂјпЂЋпЂ’пЂҐпЂ‡пЂ�пЂ’пЂ‘пЂўпЂ‡пЂЋпЂЋпЂ‡пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ www.loansbybarbara.com www.lender4lifemichelle.com пЂ пЂ пЂ пЂ¦пЂЋпЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂЊпЂЁпЂЈпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ days from 9:30 am to 1:00 пЂґпЂ¬пЂ±пЂпЂµпЂ€пЂ¬пЂІпЂЇпЂ¶пЂ¬пЂпЂіпЂ±пЂ€ пЂґпЂ¬пЂ±пЂпЂµпЂ€пЂ€пЂіпЂ®пЂјпЂ¶пЂ™пЂ™пЂІпЂ¬пЂ€ Mortgage Market, Inc. DUBLIN, CA DRE#0887562 / NMLS#287856 pm, dogs are available at пЂЃпЂ‚пЂѓпЂ„пЂ…пЂ†пЂ…пЂ‡пЂ€пЂЃпЂ†пЂѓпЂёпЂ‡пЂ„пЂ№пЂ€пЂєпЂЉпЂ‘пЂ¦пЂ€пЂ€ пЂ§пЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ·пЂЋпЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂЊпЂЁпЂЈпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ пЂЃпЂ»пЂ‚пЂўпЂЉпЂЊпЂ„пЂ‚пЂЉпЂ·пЂ�пЂ‚пЂѓпЂ„пЂ…пЂ†пЂ…пЂ‡пЂ�пЂ†пЂѓпЂёпЂ‡пЂ„пЂ¦пЂЉпЂ‡пЂ„пЂ€ пЂџпЂЌпЂЁпЂЋпЂ’пЂЉпЂ№пЂ€пЂ‹пЂ–пЂ€пЂ€пЂџпЂ©пЂЄпЂ€пЂ«пЂљпЂ®пЂ®пЂіпЂпЂІпЂ±пЂ€пЂќпЂЃпЂ‰пЂЏпЂ€пЂ«пЂ±пЂ®пЂіпЂ®пЂпЂІпЂ€ пЂ пЂ пЂ пЂ¦пЂ‹пЂ†пЂЋпЂ”пЂ‡пЂ„пЂ¶пЂ”пЂ–пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ пЂ пЂ пЂ пЂ¦пЂЋпЂ‡пЂЉпЂ•пЂ‡пЂѓпЂјпЂЋпЂ’пЂҐпЂ‡пЂ�пЂ’пЂ‘пЂўпЂ‡пЂЋпЂЋпЂ‡пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ the Pleasanton Farmers пЂ пЂ пЂ пЂ¦пЂЋпЂ‚пЂ†пЂЉпЂЊпЂЁпЂЈпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ¦пЂ‘пЂ‚пЂ�пЂ€ Market at W. Angela and First Streets. Two locations пЂЃпЂ‚пЂѓпЂ„пЂ…пЂ†пЂ…пЂ‡пЂ€пЂЃпЂ†пЂѓпЂёпЂ‡пЂ„пЂ№пЂ€пЂєпЂЉпЂ‘пЂ¦пЂ€пЂ€ пЂџпЂЌпЂЁпЂЋпЂ’пЂЉпЂ№пЂ€пЂ‹пЂ–пЂ€пЂ€пЂџпЂ©пЂЄпЂ€пЂ«пЂљпЂ®пЂ®пЂіпЂпЂІпЂ±пЂ€пЂќпЂЃпЂ‰пЂЏпЂ€пЂ«пЂ±пЂ®пЂіпЂ®пЂпЂІпЂ€ will showcase cats only: Petsmart in Dublin from 12:00 to 4:00 and the Pet Extreme in Livermore from 12:00 to 4:00. On Sundays, cats are available at Petsmart in Dublin from 1:00 to 4:00, and Pet Extreme in Livermore from 12:00 to 4:00. For more information, call Terry at (925)487-7279 or visit our website at www.tvar.org пЂ§пЂ†пЂѓпЂЁпЂ†пЂѓпЂ†пЂ€пЂџпЂЌпЂ„пЂ‡пЂѓпЂ„пЂ‡ пЂЃпЂ’пЂ‘пЂўпЂ‡пЂЋпЂЋпЂ‡пЂ€пЂ»пЂ‚пЂўпЂЉпЂЊпЂ„пЂ‚пЂЉпЂ€ DRE#01848451 101 E. Vineyard Ave #103, Livermore, CA Donna Garrison (925) 980-0273 Susan Schall (925) 519-8226 Search Tri-Valley Homes for Sale at www.FabulousProperties.net CA LIC#’s: 01735040, 01713497 “THE BEST Realtor I have Ever Dealt With!” -K. Cahill “Completely Honest & Candid.” -B. 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Cowgill Cindy Greci REALTORВ®, GRI (925) 784-1243 BRE#01323804 Dominic Greci REALTORВ®, GRI (925) 525-0864 BRE#01707140 Kathleen & Larry Waelde Associate Brokers Direct Mobile (925) 321-3169 (925) 216-5869 www.kathleenwaelde.com Gravelle Group Fine Homes & Estates www.GreciGroup.com Free Moving Van! reserved for your ad, call 243-8001 for additional information (925) 337-2461 [email protected] www.PamCole4Homes.com Tammy Yau & Steven Wang, CPA DRE#01254257 Real Estate & Property Management Services (925) 583-3086 / (408) 309-8920 CaGoldenProperties.com BRE#01260501 / BRE#01368485 To Place Your Ad, Call Your Account Representative At (925) 243-8001 PAGE 12 - The Independent, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Swalwell Bill Would Give Chance on Some Projects for Cities That Lost Redevelopment Agencies Livermore Council Approves FBO, New Administration Building at Airport Congressman Eric Swalwell has introduced a bill that would establish a potential funding pathway for cities that lost their redevelopment agencies in a state shutdown of them. Cities that had begun projects, but lost their redevelopment funding, would be eligible to compete for federal dollars, even up to 100 percent of the project cost, in order to complete them. Swalwell introduced the bill, HR 3618, earlier this month. He discussed the measure at the Dublin City Council meeting in a speech via Skype on Nov. 20. He held a press conference in Fremont on Nov. 26 to make a formal announcement. Dublin did not have a redevelopment agency, but neighboring Livermore and San Ramon did until the state terminated the redevelopment agencies as part of Gov. Jerry Brown's budget plan. Money generated by redevelopment projects is seen as an economic engine that aids an entire area, not just the city that has the agency, Swalwell told the Dublin council. Fremont, Hayward and Union City also had redevelopment agencies. The site of Swalwell's Fremont press conference was a vacant lot that was destined to become the site of a mixed retail and housing development. Livermore also had plans to build affordable housing using redevelopment money, as required by the state redevelopment agency rules, as well as a parking garage and a regional theater. It isn't known which projects would benefit from the measure. Swalwell's bill would modify a 1965 Public Works and Economic Development Act to include the closing of a government agency, such as a redevelopment agency, as a specific example of an economic challenge to a region. This would allow California counties and cities to compete more easily for federal funds, he said in a press release. There is no guarantee that a project would receive money, but the pathway would be there to compete for money from a federal agency. Swalwell said that in the 15th Congressional District, more than $50 million in projects were lost. “The state's closure of redevelopment agencies has effectively stalled local economic development across the East Bay. With that funding taken away by the State of California, too much land remains undeveloped and potential jobs sit on the sidelines,” said Swalwell. “As a former Dublin city council member, I’ve taken my understanding of local economic development to Washington. While I can’t undo the California Legislature’s mistake, my legislation helps cities whose redevelopment funding was raided, by making it easier for them to obtain federal grants for redevelopment purposes," said Swalwell. The Livermore City Council approved construction of an administration building, including a restaurant and a long term ground lease for a fixed base operator (FBO) at the Livermore Airport. The vote was unanimous. Leander Hauri, airport manager, told the council that the 2030 flight forecasts envisions a growth from 140,000 operations to 220,100 operations annually. A new administration building is needed, along with the FBO to bring the airport into the 21st century. Hauri stated that the current terminal building is no longer cost effective to operate. The administration building, which will replace the terminal building, will include a concession area, administration offices, after-hours restroom, and the restaurant. Chef Chacon was granted the lease to operate restaurant, which he calls Vineyard Table. Five Rivers Aviation, LLC will provide the FBO under a 35 year lease with an option to extend. Five Rivers will install of two self-serve fueling stations. There is a self-serve pricing provision that guarantees continued competitive pricing. Operation hours are set for 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Noise abatement provisions include a voluntary restraint from night flying. The airport cannot set hours when planes would be prohibited from landing. The lease requires Five Rivers Aviation to complete the first phase of 25,000 square feet of building space within 30 months of the lease execution date. This includes the FBO administration building, hangar space for overnight aircraft storage, as well as maintenance and aircraft sales activities. Five Rivers Aviation will provide a variety of specialized services that are traditionally offered at General Aviation airports such as aircraft towing, hangaring, cleaning, maintenance, avionics, crew support and cars, catering, and concierge service to both based and transient aircraft owners/ operators. These services are amenities currently not provided at the Livermore Airport. Construction of the administration building will be financed by the airport enterprise fund. No general fund money will be used. Five Rivers Aviation, LLC proposes to build the project in three phases, totaling 75,000 square feet of development. This is less than planned under the previously rescinded FBO lease with Livermore Air Center LLC, which envisioned over 150,000 square feet of development. Concerns raised by members of the public during previous hearings included the potential for flight operations to increase. However, It was noted that the number of flight operations is influenced by trends, such as the economy, that are difficult, if not impossible to predict. Noise was the other concern, with the main worry jets. Federal legislation has banned stage II jets from flying in the contiguous United States after Dec. 31, 2015. There are currently two stage II jets based in Livermore. They will be gone in 2016. No one spoke in opposition to the proposal at the council meeting. One resident from Pleasanton complained about the noise. Hauri told the council that visiting pilots complain about the lack of services at the airport. That comment was echoed by speakers during the public hearing. Leonard Summers, a Pleasanton pilot, said when he moved to the area he was amazed at the lack of ground services. The city is missing out on an opportunity to bring in business and generate tax revenues by providing aircraft services, he pointed out. Rich Tutt, from Stockton, provides flight training in pressurized aircraft and corporate pilot services. He stated, "I highly endorse FBO services." From Dublin, Mark Deadon, was pleased to hear the plans. He uses his aircraft to conduct environmental studies. The proximity of the Livermore Airport makes it economically possible to do so, he told the council. He favored the FBO for the economic stability it would provide the airport making it possible for it to continue operating. Bob Tucknott declared, "I love that airport. The FBO will bring a lot of great service to the airport." He pointed out that the airport is valuable for many reasons. Air medical flights, emergency landers, charter flights, and a secondary usage for air defense are among them. Corporate flights bring in money. "It is an economic engine." Several other speakers said they had to fly to other airports to obtain services that would now be available in Livermore at the FBO. They contend that will reduce the number of flights in and out. Councilmember Stewart Gary stated, "It's a federal airport facility. We have to accommodate requests for business. It makes more sense that there would be fewer flights in and out if pilots could obtain services locally. I have talked to people who have flown in to shop at the outlet center and pilots of corporate jets, all of whom wonder where are the services." NEW VICE MAYOR Councilmember Bob Woerner was appointed by the mayor to serve as vice mayor for the coming year. He replaces Stewart Gary. See’s Candies Fundraising Effort by Main Street Designs Benefits the Bothwell Arts Center Main Street Design’s Christmas Store is wellstocked with California’s famous See’s Candies, in what is now their annual fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit Bothwell Arts Center. Since 1987, Main Street Designs has offered a range of dГ©cor and specialty gifts in downtown Livermore. For nearly half that time, they have also operated seasonal Christmas stores in Livermore and other locations. This year, the Livermore Christmas Store is once again at 59 South L Street, directly across from the Bothwell’s Downtown Art Studios. This is the second year that the Bothwell Arts Center was invited to be the recipient of the proceeds. The Bothwell, a component of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (LVPAC), is at the heart of the Tri-Valley Area’s growing arts community. In 2006, the Bothwell Arts Center opened on 8th Street and in 2010 added the Downtown Arts Studios on South L Street. “Last year’s See’s Candies fundraiser was wonderfully successful,” says Linda Ryan, who manages the Bothwell facilities, “It helped raise several thousand dollars allowing us to make purchases that benefit many of our users, like the Livermore Thanksgiving Community Dinner – simple things like chair and table carts that haven’t been in our tight budget but make their setup and cleanup easier. The bulk of the proceeds help to keep the Bothwell’s rental costs affordable. The Center is home to several artists and performance groups including the Livermore Valley Opera, MusicTime Academy, JazzLabb and the Livermore-Amador Youth Symphony. In addition, it serves thousands of children and local residents each year through its programs, visual and performing arts classes and events such as the recent Cheza Nami “Taste of Kenya in the Heart of Livermore.” Says Ryan, “When we call the Bothwell Arts Center an arts incubator, this is what we mean. We give artists, presenters, arts organizations and instructors an affordable place to create a stronger, more vibrant and varied arts community which has developed into a growing movement that ripples out beyond our doors.” Ryan adds, “Every box of Sees Candies purchased at Main Street Design’s Christmas Store in downtown Livermore makes a difference.” In addition to ArtWalk, the Bothwell Arts Center coproduces the Celtic Christmas Concert & Gathering with Gabe Duffin (December 8th), Happy Small- WATER (continued from page one) 1976-77 water year. The level was 1.7 million AF. A long-term look at Lake Oroville shows an average of 2.2 million AF. By June 1, the historical average is 3 million AF, after most snow has melted. The board voted unani- mously to renew its contribution to the state's Water Quality Investigation Program, which monitors the quality of the Delta water delivered to state water contractors. Zone 7 will be spending $88,000 annually between 2014 and 2016. EJ Cattle & Feed Supply • Hay & Bagged Grain • Mallard Creek Bedding • ELK Grove Stable Mix • Hawkins Panels and Stalls • Buckaroo Leather Products We deliver, stack & more! (925) 960-9074 Directions: Take N. Livermore under freeway to Manning to Carneal Road 6 miles Hours: Wed - Sat 9am to 5pm, Sun 9am to 2pm, Closed Mon & Tue Bring in ad for 10% Discount. Discount good till 11/30/13. Give The Gift Of Peace Of Mind avoid e! probat Living Trust $499 Package Includes: • Revocable Trust • Wills • Advanced Health Care Directives • Financial Powers of Attorney Call (925) 479-9600 www.CaDocPreparers.com Serving The Tri-Valley Since 2003 We are not attorneys. We can only provide self help services at your specific direction. California Document Preparers is not a law firm and cannot represent customers, select legal forms, or give advice on rights or law. Prices do not include court costs. LDA #30 Alameda County, Exp. 4/2015. idays (December 12th), and cultural arts events such as Second Thursday Open Studios, arts exhibitions in the Bankhead Theater and beyond, and the monthly Artist’s Show & Tell night. For more information about the Bothwell, taxdeductible donation opportunities directly benefitting the Bothwell, or upcoming events and classes, like them on Facebook or see www. bothwellartscenter.org or call 925-447-2787. Try Our New A ddition of Winter Menu: Exotic Mediterranean Soups & Stews ( all available in vegetarian as well ) Soups: Barley Soup Barley/Veggie Soup Noodle and Veggie Soup Yellow Split Soup Lentils Soup Stews: Lamb Stew (basque style) Beef and Celery Stew Eggplant/Chicken Stew Pomegranate and Walnut Stew 1770 First Street, Livermore (925) 243-1477 www.casbahexotic.com THE INDEPENDENT THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 • SECTION A Smuin's 'Christmas Ballet' Offers Something for Everyone from Ballet to Swing The holidays see the 20th Anniversary Season of Smuin Ballet kick off with XXmas: The Christmas Ballet, 2013 Edition. This holiday celebration offers something for everyone, from ballet, tap, and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. This year XXmas: The Christmas Ballet will include new choreography from Smuin’s acclaimed Choreographer-inResidence Amy Seiwert and Post:Ballet Artistic Director Robert Dekkers. XXmas: The Christmas Ballet will make a stop in Livermore November 29-30 at the Bankhead Theater. XXmas: The Christmas Ballet has a diverse set of seasonal offerings that satisfies all tastes. The Classical first half of the evening features whiteclad dancers performing holiday favorites, including Amy Seiwert’s playful “Sleigh Ride” and Michael Smuin’s lively “Wassail,” as well as a world premiere from Robert Dekkers, set to “Carol of the Bells.” Named “25 To Watch” by DANCE Magazine in 2011 and hailed as a “mad genius” by the Huffington Post, Robert Dekkers is founder and artistic director of Post:Ballet. Collaborating with eclectic artists to present work that is “anything but risk averse” (San Francisco Chronicle), Dekkers has created over Smuin dancers Jonathan Powell and Erin Yarbrough embrace in "Noelle Nouvelet." (Photos - Keith Sutter) a dozen new works for Post:Ballet since he founded the company in 2009. The Cool second half of XXmas: The Christmas Ballet features a red hot costume change, with dancers performing a modern mash-up of numbers including “Jingle Bells Mambo” from San Francisco choreographer Val Caniparoli; a flirty “Santa Baby;” and the return of tap favorite “Bells of Dublin.” Cool Christmas also boasts a world premiere from Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, set to Kay Starr’s “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Stuhr Remix).” A former Smuin dancer, Seiwert has been choreographing since 1999 and has won numerous awards and critical accolades. Bay Area Reporter declares her to be “the most talented and prolific young choreographer working from a ballet base around here” and the San Francisco Chronicle has called her “sharply innovative” and “one of the country’s most exciting young dance makers.” Performances at the Bankhead Theater are 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 29 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 30. The theater is located at 2400 First Street in downtown Livermore. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, online at www. bankheadtheater.org or by calling 373-6800. Smuin dancers Joshua Reynolds and Jane Rehm perform a sock-hop version of "Winter Weather." 'Sing-ItYourself Messiah' Set Valley Concert Chorale will host its annual “Singit-Yourself Messiah” on Fri., Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The community is invited to sing Handel’s choral masterpiece. The event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton. N o w a Tr i - Va l l e y holiday tradition, VCC’s “Sing-it-Yourself Messiah” is open to all singers in the community who will join in singing Part I of Handel’s great choral masterpiece, also known as the Christmas portion of “Messiah." The performance concludes with a powerful rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus." “This is our eighth year of hosting the event for the community,” says Valley Concert Chorale President Dave Brunswick. “Each year the number of singers increases with well over 100 singers from around the Tri-Valley and beyond. With this being our 50th Anniversary season, it’s great being able to offer this musical experience to the area, complete with professional soloists and accompaniment by our internationally-known concert pianist Daniel Glover.” Singers are encouraged to bring their own copy of “Messiah,” though extra copies will be available to borrow. The event is also open to those who wish to listen to the performance. Tickets are $10. Advance tickets may be ordered by calling (925) 866-4003, by visiting the Chorale’s website at www. valleyconcertchorale.org. 2 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Singer-Songwriter Mariah McManus Brings a Fresh Indie Pop Sound Photo - Doug Jorgensen Father Leo Arroiwsmith will present the program. Bothwell Arts Center Offering Program On Iconography The Bothwell Arts Center will host Father Leo Arrowsmith, Orthodox priest-iconographer, who will present a colorful lecture on the little understood form of Eastern art known as Iconography. There will be a follow-up workshop designed to allow participants to try their hand at the art. As an experienced painter of icons himself, he is well qualified to speak, not only on the history, development and techniques of icon painting, but especially on icons as “Doors of Perception” that call us to “stillness” in the presence of an art form that follows the tenets of timeless tradition. The lecture will begin at 6:30 pm on Sunday, December 1st. On Saturday December 7th from 9:30 am to 3:00, Fr. Leo will lead a workshop during which students will paint their own icon of the head of Christ in acrylic. This workshop will be participated in by the first ten applications at a modest cost of $30 to cover all materials. Contact him by phone or email: (925) 456-0845 [email protected] Hailed as a fresh new voice in indie pop music, singer-songwriter Mariah McManus will bring her blend of rural country folk, rock and pop sounds to the Bankhead Theater for a single performance the first week of December. Her critically-acclaimed debut album, “Nice to Meet You,” was called “beguiling” by The New York Times, who praised her “crisp songwriting, judicious word choice and emotional delivery.” Tickets to hear Mariah McManus on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. range from $26 to $39 for adults and $15 for students. Born in Utah and now living in Southern California, McManus has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. Although she primarily plays guitar, she is a skilled multi-instrumentalist who discovered her passion for music after being given a set of instruments at the age of 13. McManus taught herself to play and was soon singing and performing in local bands. She set out for Nashville when she turned 18 and worked with producer Thomas Doeve on “Nice to Meet You,” which was released in 2011. She appeared on NPR’s World CafГ©, where she was listed among the Mariah McManus “The World CafГ© Next 20” as an artist to watch. McManus cites a broad range of musical influences, ranging from Portishead to Bjork, and her distinctive voice offers a depth and style that has been said to channel Imogen Heap with a touch of the contemporary pop style of Taylor Swift. With innate storytelling skills and a knack for beautiful harmonies, McManus’ songs such as “Say it Again,” “Shame on You,” and “Unarmed” reach across genres with powerful and lasting appeal. Her remarkable vocal maturity is threaded with innocence and sincerity, and perfectly conveys the fundamental feelings of happiness and heartbreak, hope and disappointment in her songs. Following the performance by Mariah McManus in December, the Bankhead Theater will welcome another rising star in the indie rock world with The Jason Spooner Band, an East Coast-based group with a soulful, blues and roots- rock vibe. Singer-songwriter Jason Spooner’s rich and descriptive storytelling lyrics and tight melodies earned him a place on the Starbuck’s CafГ© playlist and his music quickly jumped onto radio stations across the country. The Bankhead Theater is located at 2400 First Street in downtown Livermore. Tickets to all performances may be purchased at the theater box office, online at www.bankheadtheater.org or by calling 373-6800. Familiar Faces Take on Roles of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig Livermore Mayor John Marchand and his wife, Sue, will play Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig in the St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church production of A Christmas Carol. Scenes from the beloved holiday story will intersperse a weekend enlived by musical entertainment and Victorian flair. The Faire will take place November 30 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, December 1 from 12 noon to 5 pm at 678 Enos Way in Livermore. The Fezziwig’s festivities will also feature Erik Hoffman, fiddler and dance caller. Other performances throughout the weekend include classical harpist Dominique Piana, who will perform during Sunday’s High Tea; Vita Voci, a local madrigal vocal ensemble; and brass and recorder ensembles. Between scenes visitors may browse craft booths, sit down to a ploughman’s lunch, or enjoy ale at Miss Mattie’s Pub. Father Christmas will be on hand to visit with children of all ages, and additional children’s activities will be available. Visitors may also enter a raffle to win handmade quilts and other prizes. Proceeds benefit the community programs of St. Bartholomew’s. Admission is $10 per person, good for both days, with children 5 and younger free. The faire concludes at 4 pm each day with a limitedseating High Tea, for $15 per person. Advance tickets are recommended, and may be purchased through www. saintbartslivermore.com until November 29; faire tickets and tea reservations will be available at the door otherwise. THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 3 вЂ�Holiday Shorts: A Long Winter’s Tale’ at Firehouse Arts Center Teen Improv Troupe Performs Improvised Holiday Cheer The holiday season kicks off at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton with Creatures of Impulse, the City of Pleasanton’s award-winning teen improv troupe. The troupe will be performing the fifth season of the holiday-themed improv show, "Holiday Shorts: A Long Winter’s Tale." Two performances are scheduled for Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6 at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.firehousearts.org or at the theater box office. There will also be a free preview performance Tuesday, December 3rd at 7:30pm, with no tickets required. “Out of all the shows we perform each season, “Holiday Shorts” seems to be the show audiences hold close to their hearts. Not only do they get to help create energy for the evening, they get to see COI do what they do best— have fun on stage making something out nothing,” says COI Director Mark Duncanson. Holiday Shorts: A Long Winter’s Tale combines the fast-paced “Whose Line Is It . . . ” style of improv with Creatures of Impulse’s signature story-based long-form improvisation. In the first act, the audience will provide suggestions to inspire a series of improv games and scenes. The audience will then vote on which scene Creatures of Impulse will perform as a complete improvised holi- Celebrate The Season Celebrating 20 Years of Holiday Joy! Smuin XXMAS Ballet friday nov 29 at 7:30pm saturday nov 30 at 2 & 7:30pm Yuletide Spectacular Ballet FolklГіrico Costa de Oro tuesday dec 3 at 7:30pm SPONSORED BY Jean Shuler Fresh New Voice in Indie Pop Mariah McManus wednesday dec 4 at 7:30 pm Beethoven & Gershwin Gems from the Past and Present Livermore-Amador Symphony sunday dec 7 at 2 pm Classics of the Season in Unforgettable Style A Doo Wop Holiday Celebration sunday dec 8 at 2pm Andrea Marcovicci Home for the Holidays A WWII CHRISTMAS tuesday dec 10 at 7:30pm SPONSORED BY Bruce and Sharon Gach Jared Siegel reads to troupe. day “play” in the second act. Fourteen members of the elite troupe make up the cast of Holiday Shorts, including some fresh new Creatures of Impulse members who will have their improv debut: Ben Rowland, Luke Carter, Morgan Werder, and Claire Wagner. Ben comes to Creatures of Impulse having participated in many of The City of Pleasanton’s teen improv camps, classes, and workshops, while fellow first-year COI members Luke, Claire, and Morgan join COI this year hav- ing performed in various productions with the City of Pleasanton’s children’s theater program, Civic Arts Stage Company. COI seniors Maddy Baker, Noah Rotter, Lucy Brillhart, David Zatorski, Jared Siegel, Rita Zwiefel, and Trevor March appear in their final winter performance with the awardwinning and nationally recognized troupe. Duncanson sums up the show, “This will be our fifth season performing Holiday Shorts, so this has become a super fun holiday tradition for me. Every sea- son, I am tickled when COI fans can remember their first Holiday Shorts show and recount specific lines and story elements from previous seasons. This is definitely the most fun, affordable, and hilarious night out for the holidays in the Tri-Valley.” A great kick-off event for the holidays for the whole family, with first class improv at a beautiful, intimate venue in the heart of the valley. And the ticket price can’t be beat. Early bird tickets purchased by November (continued on page 4) Valley Dance Theatre with Livermore-Amador Symphony The Nutcracker dec 14,21,22 at 2 & 7pm 15 at 2pm 20 at 7pm Will Durst Comedy Show Big Fat Year End Kiss Off XXI friday dec 27 at 8pm New Years Eve Party! Roy Rogers AND THE Delta Rhythm Kings tuesday dec 31 at 8pm call 925.373.6800 click www.bankheadtheater.com come by 2400 First Street / Livermore 4 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 'A Child's Christmas Wales' Presentation Planned at Swirl on the Square The glorious sounds and evocative language of Dylan Thomas’s prose poem, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” will be brought to life on December 11, 2013, when artists from the Livermore Shakespeare Festival present two dramatic readings of Thomas’s most popular and widely known work. The readings will take place at Swirl on the Square in downtown Livermore, to the festive accompaniment of a glass of wine or other beverage and a tapas sampler plate. The first reading will take place at 2:00 pm, the second at 7:00 pm. Thomas’s story is told by an adult whose memories are filtered through the eyes of a child, recalling in wonder the sights and sounds of Christmas in a seaside town in Wales. Through his memories of Christmas, we reminisce about our own: favorite gifts, family eccentrics, special treats like Christmas pudding. Thomas’s images appeal to young people and their own experi- ences and expectations of Christmas: the distinction between Useful Presents (mufflers, mittens, books of cautionary tales) and Useless Presents (bags of candies, toys and games and models – and a dog whistle). Livermore Shakes’ Administrative Director, Katie Marcel, says, “Livermore Shakes is excited to partner with Swirl in offering a festive holiday event for friends, families or the staff of small businesses to gather over a plate of delicious food, a glass of wine and a delightful reading by some of our familiar artists." Swirl on the Square is located at 21 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore, CA. The first reading will begin at 2:00 pm, the second at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $35 and include the performance, a glass of wine or other beverage and a tapas sampler plate. Tickets are available at LivermoreShakes.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006. For more information contact Livermore Shakes at (925) 443-BARD. Pleasanton’s Annual Hometown Holidays Celebration Slated for Saturday, December 7 Trevor March IMPROV (continued from page 3) 30: $5 general, $2 student. Regular tickets after November 30: $10 general, $5 student. Tickets can be purchased online at www. firehousearts.org, by calling 925-931-4848, and in person at the Box Office, 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton. Box Office hours are Wednesday Friday 12:00 noon-6:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am4:00pm, and two hours prior to the performance. Free parking in the center lot and surrounding streets is available. The City of Pleasanton will once again salute the season by hosting the Annual Hometown Holiday Celebration to be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:15 p.m. along Main Street in downtown Pleasanton. This free, family-friendly event features a festive community-based parade followed by the light- ing of a holiday tree in front of the Museum on Main. Kicking off the parade will be one of Pleasanton’s award-winning high school marching bands from either One of Pleasanton’s local Girl Scout troops gets ready to march down Main Street in festive garb to celebrate the season. Amador Valley High School or Foothill High School. The band is followed by a wide array of holiday inspired entries including Pleasanton’s own Balloon Platoon, the Pleasanton City Council, hundreds of Cub Scouts and Brownies, local car clubs, performing arts groups, and much more. Main Street will close to vehicular traffic at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. Parade viewers are encouraged to shop and dine in historic Downtown Pleasanton after staking out their viewing turf. The Hometown Holiday program relies on the support of the community to make the event a success and volunteers are still needed. Those interested in volunteering for the event are encouraged to visit www. hometownholiday.com. In the event of rain, a parade cancellation telephone hotline will be implemented and updated each hour after 2:30 p.m. on parade day, December 7. The cancellation information phone line number is (925) 931-5352. THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 5 Deacon Dave to Open 31st Annual Christmas Display on November 30 Deacon Dave’s 31st Annual Christmas Display will open Saturday, November 30th at 6:30 p.m. All are invited to gather in the closed street in front of the darkened property to await the arrival of the colorful Advent/Christmas Procession. The Procession moves down Hillcrest Ave. from Fordham at Hillcrest. When the procession arrives, the opening ceremonies begin. There will be a welcome by Livermore Mayor John Marchand and new Police Chief Michael Harris. During the ceremony, Deacon Dave will announce this year's theme and bless the lights and the gathered folks. Forest Home Farms Historic Park presents Holidays on the Farm, December 7 and 14. Admission is free. The park will be open 10:00am to 2:00pm both Saturdays in December. Two of Santa’s reindeer will be making a special stopover in San Ramon to visit with the children at Holidays on the Farm on Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, December 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children will also get to visit with a Victorian Santa. On both Saturdays, there will be sheep dog demonstrations, dance performances, holiday entertainment, tractor rides, old fashioned games, and Victorian ornament making. Delicious food will be available for purchase. The Welcome Center, Tractor Museum and Gift Shoppe will be open. The Victorian Glass House Museum will be specially decorated just for the holidays. Glass House Museum Tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 noon & 1 p.m. Farm tours are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours are $5 per person or $8 for both. On Saturday, December 7 only – Bring the family to see “A Nutcracker” Puppet Show by the Puppet Company at 11:30 a.m. 9th Annual Holiday Home Tour Slated Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of AAUW presents its 9th Annual Holiday Home Tour on Friday, December 13th and Saturday, December 14th from 10 am to 4 pm Five Festive Homes in Alamo will be on this tour. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors age 65 and over purchased by Dec. 6. Tickets are an additional $5 after that date. Tickets may be purchased by sending a check postmarked by December 6th, payable to Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW with a self-addressed #10 envelope to AAUW Holiday Home Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507 Tickets are available in person at East Bay Flower Company, 206 Sycamore Valley Road West (Danville Livery). Cash and checks only. Mon.-Fri. 9-6; Sat. 9-5; on line through PAYPAL on http://daw-ca.aauw.net/programs/hht A $2. processing fee will be added for each ticket. Proceeds benefit local women scholars and Tech Trek. On Saturday, December 14 only - Shop for unique gifts from over a dozen vendors at our Holiday Market. Vendors include Stuff a Bear booth, quilts, hand crafts, glass beads, paper crafts, mistletoe and more. Holiday on the Farm is presented by the City of San Ramon and the San Ramon Historic Foundation. Forest Home Farms Historic Park is located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon. For more information call (925) 973-3284. THIS YEAR, CHEAT ON THE NUTCRACKER XXMAS THE CHRISTMAS BALLET TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Please, no children under 12 years or pets. How well do you know your local Land Trust? We invite you to take our survey & find out. www.surveymonkey.com/s/landtrust Dancers: Janica Smith and Terez Dean Experience nature every day in 2014 – whether outside or stuck indoors – with the new Sycamore Grove calendar. The 2014 calendar marks the sixth year of production of the Sycamore Grove calendar, which is designed by the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District ranger staff. All photos were taken by Park Rangers Glen Florey, Dawn Soles and Amy Wolitzer in the open space park. This year’s calendar showcases sycamore trees and wildflowers as well as some of the park’s wildlife such as foxes, birds and beetles. In addition to showing the park’s beauty through the changing seasons, the calendar also keeps the public up-to-date on park closing times during the year. The calendar also features a photo guide to the wildflowers of the park. Proceeds help benefit open space programs and facilities. Calendars are $10 each or $6 when purchased with an annual Sycamore Grove parking pass, also available now for 2014. Calendars and parking passes can be purchased at the Robert Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Ave., or by calling 925-373-5700. A calendar preview can be found on the Sycamore Grove Park page on the LARPD website at www.larpd.dst.ca.us. Holidays on the Farm Events Planned at Forest Home Farms Historic Park Photo by: Patrick Fraser Calendars Available Deacon Dave’s Christmas Team began construction Labor Day weekend. The structures are different each and every year. The Team is composed of all ages, folks from different religious denominations and the team forms a wonderful bond for the good of the community. Deacon Dave’s Renaissance Angels that hang above the Nativity Scene in one of the Living Room windows at Christmas will be the largest Angel Art Display in 15 years. The Deacon spent time this summer restoring damaged angels that have been removed over the past 15 years. The Display will feature all 30 of the collection. THIS WEEK! LIVERMORE BANKHEAD THEATER NOV 29 - 30 | 925.373.6800 smuinballet.org 6 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Students Honor Veterans Veterans were honored by over 200 school children, parents and staff at the annual Veterans Day Chapel Service at Our Savior Lutheran Schoo held on November 11. Twenty-four veterans from the community, young and old, male and female, representing all branches of the United States military, were in attendance, some in uniform. Distinguished guest and church member, Herb Street, a 95-year-old former U.S. Army POW from World War II attended both the ceremony and the reception. He reported having a wonderful time at both. The program included students in grades 3 through 8 took part in various readings, including a reminder of the purpose and history of the 1954 presidential proclamation of Veterans Day. The second graders presented a flag drill, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Pledge to the Christian Flag. All joined in singing the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” Students in grades 3 and 6 performed “America Veterans are pictured in the top photo; below students provide entertainment. the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.” Students introduced speaker Colonel Roger Cunning, by reading a brief biography of his life and service, including mention of his second career at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and his degrees and accomplishments. Colonel Cunning, retired U.S. Air Force, gave an inspirational speech, honoring the veterans and educating the students with some of his experiences to help them understand the responsibility and sacrifice of serving our country. He told them that God is with you wherever you are, even if you are in a lonely bunker for hours or days waiting to get the signal to send off a missile. He helped them understand that many must make difficult decisions that would be impossible without guidance and a relationship with God. They should be honored for putting their lives on the line for their country and the freedoms it represents. He asked them to keep service men and women in their prayers. Due to their exposure to these types of events, Colonel Cunning said “Our Savior Lutheran School students will clearly develop maturity and confidence not seen in many schools.” Chanukah Events in Livermore and Pleasanton include Menorah Lighting Chabad of the Tri-Valley has planned two Chanukah events. Chanukah Under the Are You Hearing And Understanding The Sounds of Life? Kenneth Billheimer, Au.D. Audiologist/Hearing Aid Specialist Sierra Parini, Au.D. Audiologist/Hearing Aid Specialist Jacque Pedraza Hearing Aid Specialist Hearing Services Pleasanton 4460 Black Ave, #F Livermore 1613 Second Street 484-3507 960-0391 www.pleasantonhearingservices.com Stars will take place in front of the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., downtown Livermore on Sat., Nov. 30 starting at 7:30 p.m. A Menorah will be lit at 8 p.m. The evening will include latkes and doughnuts, live music and dancing, and glow in the dark Chanukah fun for children The mayor and city dignitaries will be on hand. There is no admission charge. Donations are wel- come. The 9th Annual Chanukah Wonderland will take place at the Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton on Mon., Dec. 2 starting at 5:30 p.m. The Menorah will be lit at 6:30 p.m. There will be holiday games, crafts, and contests, live music and Chanukah balloon entertainment in the Grand Court. There is no admission charge. Donations are welcome. Open Heart Kitchen will again benefit from the sale of the annual Tri-Valley calendars created by Sue Evans Photography. Twelve different images are chosen each year highlighting local natural beauty. The 2014 calendars may be purchased individually or in large quantities and customized for businesses. For further information contact Sue at sueevansphotography@ comcast.net or 925-989-4113.” Work by Local Photographer included in Exhibition Photographer Kevin Shannon of Livermore will be among those exhibiting in "Harmony IV 2013, the sixth in a series of ongoing rotating fine art photography exhibition. The exhibit is on display at the Peking Duck Restaurant, 151 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. Shannon says of his work, "In the fast lane of life, photography slows me down and moves me to the right, enabling me to experience a better view along the way." He, along with three other photographers in the show, have studied pre-visualization with Richard Dischler for two or more years. There will be a reception with the photographers and Dischler from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 7. The public is invited. Public Invited to Attend Holiday Posada Celebration The Pleasanton Tulancingo Sister City Association is hosting a Holiday “Posada” Celebration on Sunday evening, December 15th, 7 - 8 pm, at the Veteran’s Memorial Building at 301 Main Street, Pleasanton. The Posada is a traditional Christmas festival celebrated in Tulancingo and many areas in Mexico. It will start with a re-enactment by Pleasanton elementary school children of Joseph and Mary’s quest for lodging for their newborn child. The presentation will include holiday music and carols. The Sister City’s Youth exchange will be emceeing the event. Following the dramatization, Mexican desserts will be served. Games and treats for the kids are planned. This celebration is free and open to the community. For more information, contact Jorge at 989-6882 or Rita at 249-1885. THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 7 New Collection of Poems by Former Poet Laureate Published in 'Floodwater' With helper Kathy Ellam, Llama Josh tries on the вЂ�camel hump’ costume for his 17th appearance in Trinity Church’s December presentation of the Nativity story. Josh comes from a long line of llama thespians following in the footsteps of his mother and father who performed in the production 6 years before him. 22 Year for Live DriveThrough Nativity The story of Jesus’ birth has been presented by Trinity Church in Livermore through the Live DriveThrough Nativity for 22 years. The presentation is entitled, “Through May’s Eyes." The story is told through a series of 6 scenes comprising live actors and animals set up in the church parking lot. Llamas acting as camels, a donkey for young Mary and sheep for the shepherd scene are brought in from local ranches. Guests driving through the venue view the presentation from the comfort of their cars while listening to the script and original music on their car radios. About 2,000 people a year have attended the show for the last 22 years. The members of Trinity will fill the 800 positions necessary to accomplish the production. The presentation has become a Christmas tradition for a large number in the Tri-valley community with about half of the guests each year returning from previous years. The presentation has been expanded this year with more interpreters for the deaf available at traffic control and greeting locations. All scenes are translated for deaf guests during the performances between 7 pm and 8:15 pm every night. For our Spanish speaking friends the actor narration is also available in Spanish. The Live Drive-Through Nativity story will be presented four nights, December 12 through 15, 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Trinity Church, 557 Olivia Avenue, Livermore. "Floodwater," a collection of poems by Connie Post, has been published by Glass Lyre Press. This is her first full length manuscript. Glass Lyre Press, a national press based in Chicago, selected Floodwater and a half dozen others for publication in 2013/2014. Floodwater is due to be released in January of 2014. “In this unflinching book, Connie Post takes on the most difficult subjects. Facing human frailty, love and loss, she offers us the consolations that human art and courage can afford.” (Dan Veach, Editor of the Atlanta Review & 2013 Georgia Author of the Year.) Connie Post writes “there are lost fish swimming at our feet” and indeed these poems are filled with the losses of a lifetime. Yet time and again, Connie has the courage to reach for healing. In a poem in which she adopts a lost dog, she observes, “how forgiveness finds a small/edge/a thin slat/to glide through,” and in “A Road of my Own” she affirms that she wants to “finally breathe the dust of my own footsteps.” In “Incantation,” one of the fi- nal poems, she expresses the sacredness within us all in these beautiful lines: “There is an old church/at the end of a dirt road/inside each of us.” Flood Waters is a brave book full of lyric moments. (Ellen Bass - Author of the Human Line) “With seasoned courage and in ever-renewable language, the poet guides us through the inner houses, backyards, closets, rivers, creeks, dreamscapes, landscapes she inhabits and into the things she loves, lyricizing it against the boil and bubble of everyday newsroom terror. And throughout these reflections, ruminations and inspirations, she never stops picturing earth and sky and day and night as sentient beings, extensions of our own bodies and psyches” (Al Young, Poet Laureate Emerita of California) Post served as Poet Laureate of Livermore, California from 2005 – June 2009. During her term she created two popular reading series “Wine and Words” and “Ravenswood." She currently hosts a series in Crockett, the “Valona Deli Second Sunday Poetry Series.” Her work has appeared in both print journals and on line poetry magazines including, The Aurorean, Blood Root Literary Magazine, Calyx, Blue Fifth Review, Kalliope, Comstock Review, Cold Mountain Review, Crab Creek Review, Karamu, Caesura, Chiron Review, DMQ Review, Dogwood, Main Street Rag, The Dirty Napkin, Psychic Meatloaf, Monterey Poetry Review, Slipstream, The Toronto Quarterly, Slipstream, Spillway,The Pedestal Magazine, Wild Goose Poetry Review and The Great American Poetry Show Her Awards and recognition include the 2009 Caesura Poetry Award from the Poetry Center of San Jose, the Dirty Napkin Cover Prize (Spring 2009). She has been short listed fives time for the Muriel Craft Bailey Awards ( Comstock Review, a national contest) and a finalist in the 2008 Lois Cranston Memorial Awards. Her poem was selected in the top five by Ursula Le Guin. Her poetry has earned four Pushcart nominations and two “Best of the Net” nominations. In her career as a poet, she has earned over 100 awards in poetry. Marketing Topic of Workshop for Writers Beth Barany will make a presentation at the next meeting of the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch to be held on Saturday, December 21, at the Four Points by Sheraton, 5115 Hopyard, Pleasanton. Barany, a coach and award-winning novelist, will introduce an approach to marketing work based on the author's creative type and marketing strengths. Beth is the award-winning novelist of the young adult epic fantasy, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, the first of a 3-book series. She is a Certified Creativity Coach, has helped authors to write books, edited and published for over 12 years, as well as guided them in effectively marketing and selling their work. The CWC Tri-Valley Branch invites writers of all genres and experience levels to learn about their craft at its monthly meetings. The meeting will be Saturday, December 21, 2013, 2:00-4:00 pm (registration at 1:30).The cost for CWC Members is $10, nonmembers, $15. Anyone interested in the program or the organization may attend with no obligation to join. Reservations requested by contacting George Cramer at [email protected] no later than Wednesday, December 18, 2013. For more information about California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch contact Paula Chinick at president@trivalleywriters. org or visit www.trivalleywriters.org. 8 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 ART/PHOTO EXHIBITS Livermore Art Association Gallery, located in the Carnegie Building, offers art classes, unusual gifts, painting rentals, art exhibits and information pertaining to the art field, 2155 Third St., Livermore. The gallery has been open since 1974 and is run as a co-op by local artists. Hours are Wed.-Sun. 11:30-4 p.m. For information call 449-9927. Art Happens, 2nd Thursday of each month, 6 to 9 p.m. Downtown Livermore. Art displays, poetry, entertainment, special events. For the brochure go to www.bothwellartscenter.org. Pleasanton Art League (PAL) at the Community Center, Nov. 1-31, open for viewing during regular business hours, Robert Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Ave., Livermore. www.pal-art.com. Remnants: Recent Works by California Fiber Artists. New exhibition of eclectic and colorful two- and threedimensional artwork created with a fusion of fiber and other materials using a wide variety of methods. 29 artists and over 60 works. November 6 through December 18 at the Harrington Gallery in the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton. Special Gallery Event: November 19 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. artist and gallery docent Claudia Hess will speak about textile arts, history, materials, and specific works on display. Suggested donation for the session is $7. Regular gallery hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 12:00-5:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton. Donations always appreciated. Landscapes, Peggy & Alan Frank, paintings and photographs, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Nov. 13-Jan. 6. Holiday Boutique, hosted by Livermore Art Association Gallery starting on Fri. Dec. 6th and ending on Dec. 24th. Members of the Gallery and invited Artists and Crafters are offering fine art, gifts, and holiday decorations for sale. Join the Opening Celebration on Fri. and Sat., Dec 6 and 7 for door prizes and refreshments at the Gallery on 2155 3rd ST. Livermore. "Where We Live," the beauty of the Livermore Valley, is the theme of an invitational art show at Prudential California Realty. Artists displaying work are Carolyn Ramsey, Nova Starling, Bette Goosman and John West. The show will be on display at the new office at 1983 Second Street through January 13, 2014. The public is invited to view the show during regular business hours or by appointment. For information, contact Cher Wollard at 784-4679 or cherw@ cherw.com. Pleasanton Art Group Art Critique & Coffee exhibition, work displayed in the Firehouse Arts Center lobby and hallway Nov. 14-Dec. 16. Theme is "A Passion for Art." The Firehouse Arts Center is located at 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton. MEETINGS/CLASSES Weekend Class at the Figurehead Gallery: Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Back to Basics, the Fundamentals of Drawing and Beyond, taught by Jacob Handinson. In-depth exploration of the elements of art, how to understand and implement them in your artwork. Demonstrations, techniques, and tips. Fee: $75. To register: http://www.figureheadgallery.com/classes.html Weekend Workshop: Figure Open Studio for Long Pose at the Figurehead Gallery: Saturday, Dec. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Either Jacob Hankinson, Ozell Hudson, or Carolyn Lord will be on hand to assist with the Long Pose Session. Fee: $30. To register: http://www.figureheadgallery.com/ classes.html Show and Tell, Artists are invited to a monthly function at the Bothwell Arts Center, called “Show & Tell. 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 Eighth St., Livermore. Artists bring finished or unfinished work to show and if desired, receive a critique from the group. Refreshments are brought by the artists, and a donation of $5.00 is desired although not mandatory. Contact for this event is D’Anne Miller at [email protected], or Linda Ryan at [email protected] ACC / Art Critique & Coffee meetings now at New Leaf in Pleasanton's Vintage Shopping Center on Bernal & Vineyard. Brings together professional, local and emerging artists meetings each Friday at 10:30 a.m. to share latest work, fine tune each piece with gentle critiques and share tips, techniques and opportunities. Join the mailing list and receive the latest news on when and where the next meeting will be held. [email protected] Figure Drawing Workshop, every Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Artists bring their own materials and easels. Open to all artists. Professional artist models (nude). No instructor. Students under 18 need written parental permission to attend. Cost $20 per session. Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th St., Livermore. Coffee, tea and refreshments are available. Call or e-mail Barbara Stanton for more info about the workshop, 925-373-9638 [email protected]. Art Classes, For children, teens and adults. Beginner to advanced. Drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics taught by highly experienced artist and art instructor, Thomasin Dewhurst. Weekday and weekend classes, Homeschool classes, Special classes during school breaks offered. Please phone (925) 216-7231 or email thomasin_d@ hotmail.com for further info. Piano and keyboard lessons, For children to adult. Beginner to early intermediate level. Half-hour private classes or small group classes offered. Twice-yearly recitals. Please phone (925) 216-7231 or email [email protected] for further info. PPL/Pleasanton Poetry League, now meeting the 1st Thursday and 3rd Wednesday of each month 7:00 at The Corner Bakery Cafe in Pleasanton. Join us as we challenge ourselves to poetically relay our thoughts, emotions and experiences through poetry. Become a member & share your work - Contact [email protected] for more info on Theme Challenges, Membership & Opportunities. Ukulele Circle, Meetings held the 2nd and last Saturday from 12 noon-1 p.m. at Galina’s Music Studio located at 2222 Second St., Suite 2, Livermore. Please confirm participation by calling (925) 960-1194 or via the website at www.GalinasMusicStudio. com. Beginners are welcome. Bring some music to share with the group. Ukuleles are available for purchase. Small $5 fee to cover meeting costs. WINERY EVENTS 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: San Francisco Chronicle is currently accepting wine entries for the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest wine competition of American wines in the world. The deadline for entries has been extended to Dec. 10, 2013. Information and entry forms are available at www.winejudging. com. Wine Wednesdays, Livermore Valley wineries will be hosting "Wine Wednesdays" each Wednesday through October. One featured winery will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. to help guests "wine-down" from the work week or just grab a taste of wine before going out to dinner in the TriValley. Check for the winery listings at www.lvwine.org. The Winemaker's Pour House, Live music: Nov. 30, 6:30-9:30, Joey T. 2241 First St., Livermore. www.winemakerspourhouse.com or 215-2656. Thomas Coyne Winery Fall Open House, new location, 2405 Research Dr., Livermore. Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1 noon to 5 p.m. New wine releases: 2011 California Merlot, 2010 Vino Tinto Reserva, 2010 Livermore Valley Zinfandel, 2012 Livermore Valley Pinot Blanc, 2009 Contra Costa MourvГЁdre . (925) 373-6541, http:// thomascoynewinery.com Las Positas Vineyards, Friday, November 29th, Black Friday, tasting room will be open from 12-5pm. Come join us and enjoy a tasting flight or relax on our patio with a glass of wine after shopping. 1828 Wetmore Rd., Livermore. www.laspositasvineyards. com, 449-9463. Prelude to Christmas, Fenestra Winery, Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, noon to 5 p.m. Taste holiday foods along with wins. Arts and crafts vendors and food. $15. 83 Vallecitos Rd., Livermore. www.fenestrawinery.com Cedar Mountain Winery, Dinner with the Winemaker, Wed., Dec. 4 at El Sacramento. Reception 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. featuring restaurant specialties created by Chef Rodrigo Ochoa paried with wines selected by winemaker Earl Ault. $75 per person plus tax and gratuity. RSVP to 371-1173 or 373-6636, www. cedarmountainwinery.com Holidays in the Vineyards, Dec. 7 and 8, noon to 4:30 p.m., a Livermore Valley Wine Country tradition: Wineries showcase their decorated tasting rooms offering special wines, arts and crafts, holiday music, activities and more. Guests are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to their favorite wineries for donation to the local Toys for Tots program. Admission is free, but tasting fees may apply and vary by winery. More information can be found at LVwine.org Holiday in the Vineyards Open House, Sat. and Sun., Dec. 7 and 8, noon to 4:30 p.m. Charles R Vineyards, 8195 Crane Ridge Road (at the end of Greenville), Livermore, (925)454304; www.CharlesRVineyards.com. Specially selected Arts and Crafts vendors showcase one-of-a-kind gifts - paintings, hand-crafted woods, jewelry, home-made soaps and more uniquely designed art pieces. Enjoy a glass of wine as you sit by the fire pit and appreciate the harmonies of holiday Carolers. Bring a toy for the Pleasanton-Livermore Fire Association's Toys for Tots program. "Make a Difference This Holiday Season" party kick off. The Winemaker's Pour House would like to team up with the Livermore community to help bring warmth to those in need. The Livermore Homeless Refuge is in need of 29 sets of thermal underwear for its guests. You can help by coming in and choosing an ornament on a Holiday Tree on Dec. 11, 2013. Each ornament will contain a name and size for thermal underwear. Return the thermal underwear with the ornament on or before, Dec. 20, 2013 and receive a $5 gift card to be used on the next visit to the Winemaker's Pour House. Only 29 ornaments are available. A donation jar available. Live music and raffle prizes. Come on out and celebrate the season. 2241 First St., Livermore. www.winemakerspourhouse.com or 215-2656. MUSIC/CONCERTS Blacksmith Square, music every Saturday 3 to 6 p.m. in the courtyard, 21 South Livermore Ave., Livermore. Chris Bradley's Jazz Band appears regularly at: The Castle Rock Restaurant in Livermore/on Portola Avenue-- the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month from 7:30-9:30--Dance floor, full bar, small cover. 110 in the Shade, by N. Richard Nash, music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. Adapted by Nash from his classic play “The Rainmaker,” a heartfelt musical romance about one woman’s learning to believe in herself. Runs Nov. 15-Dec. 8. Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St., Hayward. $10 preview; $29 Thurs. eve, Fri. eve, Sat. matinee, Sat. eve., Sun. matinee. Box office (510) 881-6777. Information at www. dmtonline.org Lady K and the Kings of Swing, Winter Wonderland big band holiday show, Nov. 30, Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon. www.sanramonperformingarts.com or 973-3343. Teen/Youth Music Festival, holiday variety show, Nov. 30, 2 and 7 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts. org or 931-4848. Pleasanton Community Concert Band, an international holiday concert, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. Free. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.org or 931-4848. The Amethyst Trio, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. Livermore Library, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Eclectic program comprised of the fiery Beethoven Piano Trio in C Minor, an elegant trio by French baroque composer Loeillet, two Argentinian tangos, The Fantasia on Greensleeves by Vaughan-Williams, and a selection or two on Celtic harp. Admission is free. Along with cellist Samsun Van Loon, the trio is rounded out for this concert by violinist Cathie Lowmiller, concertmaster of the San Jose Lyric Theater. 925-373-5500. Mariah McManus, pop singersongwriter. Wed., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater.org or 373-6800. Music Department Recital, Las Positas College Dec. 4, 12:30 p.m. Free admission. Main Stage Theater, Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. Happy Holidays Musical Review, Dec. 6-22, San Ramon Community Theater production. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd., San Ramon. www.sanramonperformingarts.com or 973-3343. Livermore-Amador Symphony, Gems from the Past and Present with work by Gershwin, Barnes, Lees and Beethoven. Joyce Johnson Hamilton, trumpet, soloist. Dec. 7, 8 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater.org. 373-6800. Four and More, jazz band, will perform in a holiday concert, a “Musical Celebration of the Season,” on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM, in Old St. Raymond Church at the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums. Swingin’ tributes to the holiday season, as well as more traditional tunes. Pre-sale ticket prices are $5 for children, 12 and under, and $8 for adults. If the event does not sell out, tickets may be purchased at the door for $7 (children, 12 and under), and $10 (adults). www.dublin.ca.gov/holiday happenings, or contact the City of Dublin Parks and Community Services Department at (925) 556-4500. Traditional Folksongs of the Winter Holidays, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Livermore Library, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Folksinger, storyteller, and autoharp virtuoso Adam Miller will perform well-known (and not so well-known) sing-along songs of the holiday season featuring traditional folksongs, carols for the New Year, Hanukkah, Christmas, and the Winter Solstice-from pre-Christian Europe to the 21st Century. 925-373-5500. A Doo Wop Holiday Celebration. Sun., Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www. bankheadtheater.org or 373-6800. Vita Voci, a Tri-Valley a capella ensemble, will perform on Sunday, December 8, 2 PM at Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Ct., Pleasanton. Works of the Renaissance and more modern eras will be presented. The Congregation Beth Emek Choir will join Vita Voci in Salamone Rossi’s Elohim Hashivenu. Small donation asked. For more information contact: David Yaffe, 925-455-8139. Asbury Christmas Concert – Asbury United Methodist Church will hold its 17th Annual Christmas Concert at 7 PM on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 in its Sanctuary at 4743 East Ave., Livermore. All of Asbury’s vocal choirs, the Asbury Band, several instrumentalists and the Asbury Ringers will be performing. Asbury’s pipe organ will also be part of the evening’s musical offerings. The concert is open to the public. A free will offering can be made at the door. There will be a punch and homemade cookie reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. For more information call Jean Braun at 449-4168, the church office at 447-1950 or e-mail: [email protected] Amador Valley High School Wind Ensemble 1, 7 p.m. Mon., Dec. 9. The ensemble chosen to perform at the 67th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago on December 19, 2013. This is arguably the highest honor a school music program can receive. These advanced instrumentalists are one of just four high school bands chosen from across the country to perform at this prestigious event. The award winning ensemble will perform their program for this home audience. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater.org or 373-6800. Andrea Marcovicci, Home for the Holidays, a WWII Christmas. Tues., THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 9 Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www. bankheadtheater.org or 373-6800. Instrumental Concert, Las Positas College orchestra and wind ensemble, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Main Stage Theater, Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. Tickets www.brownpapertickers.com or 1-800-838-3006. December People, holiday/pop/rock, Dec. 13 and 14, 8 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.org or 931-4848. Jazz Night Concert, Las Positas College instrumental jazz, Dec. 14, 8 p.m. Main Stage Theater, Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. Tickets www.brownpapertickers.com or 1-800-838-3006. The Beatles and Their Songs: A Musical Revolution, Dec. 15, 2 p.m. Livermore Library, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Dulais Rhys delves into the quality, variety, and the longevity of the Beatles’ music. His presentation on The Beatles outlines the history of the group’s formation and focuses on their songs, influences, form, stylistic development and legacy. The talk includes musical examples and audience interaction—singing along is encouraged. 925-373-5500. San Ramon Symphonic Band, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. Horns for the Holidays. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon. www.sanramonperformingarts.com or 973-3343. Country tribute: A Cash Country Christmas featuring James Garner, Dec. 21, 2 and 8 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.org or 931-4848. New Year’s Eve Party. Tues., Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Master slide guitarist Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings deliver a night of contemporary blues, Americana and roots music, followed by a festive reception in the theater lobby. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater. org or 373-6800. ON THE STAGE Creatures of Impulse Presents, teen improve troupe, Holiday Shorts, Dec. 5 and 6, 7:30 p.m. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. www.firehousearts.org or 931-4848. A Child’s Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas, Dec. 11, 2 and 7 p.m. Swirl on the Square, 21 So. Livermore Ave. Presented by Shakespeare’s Associates, Inc. Tickets $35 includes performance, tapas sampler and glass of wine. www.LivermoreShakes. org or 1-800-838-3006. Civic Arts Stage Company Presents Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr. Dec. 13-22, Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Rd., Pleasanton, 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun. www. Church, 4th and L Streets, Livermore. www.valleyconcertchorale.org firehousearts.org or 931-4848. A Year with Frog and Toad, Bay Area Children’s Theatre, Dec. 21 and 22 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon. www.sanramonperformingarts.com or 973-3343. COMEDY Big Fat Year End Comedy XXI, 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 27, Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater.org or 373-6800. MOVIES Classic Films at the Pleasanton Library, 7 p.m. first Thursday of each month through June 5, 2014. Las Positas College and the Pleasanton Public Library present "Make 'em Laugh" Series" Hosted by Candy Klaschus, film historian and Coordinator of the Humanities Program at Las Positas College. A brief talk about each film is presented prior to the screening. Refreshments are served. For more information, call Penny Johnson, 925-931-3405. Admission is free. 400 Old Bernal Ave., Pleasanton. DANCE Smuin XXMAS Ballet. Fri., Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater.org or 373-6800. Friday Evening Group Dance! Learn how to dance with great instructors from It's All About Dancing, new dance every week from Salsa, Tango, Swing and more. Group lesson starts at 7:30, followed by open dance until 9:45 in our new location at the Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th St., Livermore; 925-449-9292. $15. Ballet FolklГіrico Costa de Oro, Yuletide Spectacular. Tues., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater. org or 373-6800. A Modern American Nutcracker, Jim Hurley adaptation. Las Positas College dance and orchestra, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. Main Stage Theater, Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. Tickets www.brownpapertickers.com or 1-800-838-3006. The Nutcracker, Valley Dance Theater production, full-length ballet, accompanied by the Livermore-Amador Symphony. Dec. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. www.bankheadtheater.org or 373-6800. 2013 “Handel’s Messiah Ballet,” Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. The Grand Theatre, 715 Central Avenue, Tracy $20-$40, Tickets at (209) 8316858 or online www.atthegrand.org. Presented by Anastasis Ballet Company. Classical ballet and excerpts from Messiah are paired for a holiday performance. For more information, please visit www.anastasisballet.org or contact us at info@anastasisbal- The public is invited to a free Christmas concert at Our Savior Lutheran Ministries, 1385 South Livermore Avenue, on Sunday, December 8, at 4:00 pm. The concert will feature choirs and instrumentalists of Our Savior, including brass, handbells, flute, violin, and even xylophone. Refreshments will follow the concert. For more information, call the church office at 447-1246. let.org. VOLUNTEER Winter Volunteer Program Orientation: The Firehouse Arts Center is holding its next orientation session for interested volunteers for both the Firehouse Theater and the Harrington Art Gallery. The award-winning volunteer organization is currently accepting new volunteers ages 16 and over for theater positions, and 21 or over for gallery posts. The orientation will be held at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Avenue in Pleasanton, on Tuesday, December 10, at 7:00 p.m. Attending orientation is mandatory prior to serving. For more information and to pre-register, contact program coordinator Jennifer Koch, [email protected] or 925-931-4846. RSVP appreciated. CHORAL Pacific Masterworks Chorus, the Many Moods of Christmas featuring Dettingen Te Deum, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m. John Knox Presbyterian Church, 7421 Amarillo Road, Dublin. Adults $20, seniors/students $15. Tickets@ PacificMasterworksChorus.org Valley Concert Chorale - Sing it Yourself Messiah, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton. www.valleyconcertchorale.org Vocal Jazz Concert, Las Positas College jazz ensemble, Dec. 8, 3 p.m. Main Stage Theater, Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. Tickets www.brownpapertickers.com or 1-800-838-3006. Cantabella Children’s Chorus, Winter Concert, Noel Nouvelet. Saturday, December 14th at 1:00 and 4:00 PM at Our Savior Lutheran Ministries, 1385 S. Livermore Ave, Livermore. Repertoire includes classical seasonal favorites sung in English, French, Latin, Spanish, Basque, Hebrew, German and Ukrainian, and less familiar ones by composers such as Eleanor Daley, Nikolai Kachanov, Javier Busto and Bardos Lajos. Audience participation. Tickets are $7-$20. Children 11 and under are free (limit 2 per accompanied adult). For information and tickets, go to Cantabella.org/tickets. Valley Concert Chorale: Winter Wonderland, two performances. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton and 3 p.m. Dec. 15, First Presbyterian MISCELLANEOUS Political Issues Book Club meets the 4th Tuesday of each month, and reads books about issues and trends that are driving current affairs in both the national and international arenas.В Contact Rich at 872-7923, for further questions We’re Talkin’ Books! Club is a member-centered book group led by a small group of book club veterans, with reading selections based on member recommendations and consensus. No homework required– share your insights or just listen in! Contact Susan at 337-1282 regarding the We’re Talkin’ Books! Club. Deacon Dave’s 31st Annual Christmas Display will open Saturday, November 30th at 6:30 p.m. All are invited to gather in the closed street in front of the darkened property to await the arrival of the colorful Advent/Christmas Procession. The Procession moves down Hillcrest Ave. from Fordham at Hillcrest. During the opening ceremonies Deacon Dave will announce this year's theme and bless the lights and the gathered folks. Dickens' Christmas Faire, November 30 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, December 1 from 12 noon to 5 pm. Admission is $10 per person for both days, with children 5 and younger free. Proceeds benefit a variety of programs serving the community. Stroll the streets of Olde London where crafters ply their wares. Live performers will enact scenes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol throughout the weekend, with dancing and musical entertainment between acts. Costumes are encouraged. High Tea will be offered both days, $15 per person. A hearty ploughman’s lunch, soup, pasties, or scones may be purchased from the lunchroom; adult beverages will be available at Miss Mattie’s Pub. Father Christmas will be on hand. For more information or to pre-purchase tickets and reserve your seat at tea, please visit www. saintbartslivermore.com. Dublin 30th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Dublin Civic Center, After the official lighting of the tree, attendees will enjoy musical entertainment while keeping a look-out for an appearance by a very special visitor from the North Pole. Delicious cookies and hot chocolate will be served afterward. For more information please call (925) 5564500. www.ci.dublin.ca.us Home for the Holidays, December 7, noon to 4 p.m. in Downtown Livermore. Kick off the holiday shopping season downtown and enjoy horse drawn carriage rides, holiday performances and snow in Lizzie Fountain. Downtown Livermore Merchants will be celebrating the Season with an Open House! Annual Holiday Sights and Sounds Parade and Tree Lighting, 6 p.m. Sat., Dec. 7. Downtown Livermore. Marching bands, music, light displays, and Santa Claus. Tree lighting to follow parade. Hometown Holiday Parade and Tree-Lighting Celebration; Dec. 7, Pleasanton, Parade down Main Street begins at 5 p.m. followed by tree lighting at the Museum on Main. City of Pleasanton, (925) 931-5352, [email protected] Holiday Tea, Sat. and Sun., Dec. 7 and 8, Dublin Heritage Park and Museums, $25 per person. Country tea lunch inside the Sunday School Barn. Lunch will begin with scones, lemon curd and a hot pot of tea, followed by finger sandwiches, cheese and an indulgent dessert. Tour the Kolb House, decorated for a farm Christmas morning. Seating is limited, so make reservations early. Please call (925) 556-4500 for more information. Yuletide, A Victorian Christmas at Ravenswood. Dec. 8. Noon to 4:00pm. Ravenswood Historic Site, 2647 Arroyo Rd., Livermore. Entertainment, holiday fun. Tours and Gift Shop. Operated by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. www. larpd.dst.ca.us Celtic Christmas Concert & Gathering, Sun., Dec. 8, 6 to 9 p.m. Gathering and potluck 6 p.m., concert 7 p.m. live music by Pog Mo Thoin and special guest, Steve Kritzer. Bring a potluck dish to share, and get in the Christmas Spirit! Cider and tea. $15 at the door, children 12 and under free, benefitting the Bothwell Arts Center. Produced by Gabe Duffin. Tickets at www.mylvpac.com Mele Kalikimaka, an island style holiday celebration, Dec. 8, 2 and 6 p.m. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon. www.sanramonperformingarts.com or 973-3343. Journey to Living Bethlehem, Thurs.Mon., Dec. 12-16. Adjacent to St. Michaels School, corner of Third and Church St., Livermore. 6:00 to 9:00pm. Repeats every 30 minutes. Free admission. More https://www. facebook.com/LivingBethlehem journeytolivingbethlehem@gmail. com or 510-377-9711 Stories and speeches, Las Positas College speech department, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Free admission. Main Stage Theater, Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore. Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 14, Shannon Community Center. Three seating times are available at 8:30am, 9:45 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes with syrup, sausage, fruit and juice or coffee. Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Dublin High School Irish Guard Band. Photos with Santa will also be available. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (925) 556-4500. www.ci.dublin. ca.us 10 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Silver in Science: Tyson Beaired, Science: Gold: Staicy Robles, Math Gold Winners: Cobly Cairel, Anthony Molleson, & Anna Willey Jasmine Padilla & Dafne Rivero Austin Statham & Sammy Flores Math Silver: Fallon Frisby, Kenji Bronze in Science: Grace Boyds, Luis Math: Bronze Winners: Staicy Torres, & Alyssa Seibel Robles, Kaleigh Bolar & Diana Ramsell & Edwin Zabala Godinez Middle School Students Compete in Academic Olympics On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, Junction K-8 School held the Academic Olympics 5th grade for neighborhood schools. The event runs from 3 pm- 5pm. The Academic Olympics 5 event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate outstanding academic achievement for 5th graders in each of the neighborhood schools: Junction K-8, Rancho Las Positas, and Marilyn Ave. Parents and staff work together to plan, fund and produce the Olympics. Teams, consisting of one student from each school, competed in one of two competitions in math or sci- ence. The events were run as group competitions, where teams worked together to answer questions based on the standards curriculum. The goal of the event was not only to celebrate academia, but also to bring together students in neighboring schools to work together for competition, and meet peers from another school, many of whom will be classmates next year as 6th graders. Each student received a participation certificate. The top three teams for math and science received gold, silver or bronze medals. (Organizations wishing to run notices in Bulletin Board, send information to PO Box 1198, Livermore, CA 94551, in care of Bulletin Board or email information to [email protected]. Include name of organization, meeting date, time, place and theme or subject. Phone number and contact person should also be included. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.) Christmas Holiday Boutique. Boutique will be Sat., Dec. 7th in Pleasanton from 9am-1pm. For more information contact Valerie Fleming at Valerie@HarvestValley. org or 925/484-2482 ext. 121. Fund-raiser for mom2mom at Harvest Valley Church. Holiday Boutique, Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association annual event will be held on Dec. 14th at the Veterans Building located at the corner of South "L" and 5th Streets, Livermore. The time of the boutique is from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The snack bar will be run by members of the Los Positas College Veterans First Program. All proceeds from this boutique goes to help the Veterans. Book Sale, Friends of the Livermore Library on Sunday, December 1st, from 12:00PM - 4:00PM, rain or shine, regular monthly book sale. There will be craft books, fiction and classics, children’s books, and more. Outdoor plaza of former library, corner of Pacific Ave. & S. Livermore Ave.,Livermore. “Like” us on Facebook and receive updates about monthly book sales, events, membership and more. Holiday Giving Tree, lobby of the Livermore Police Department, located at 1110 S. Livermore Avenue through Friday, December 13th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Select a tag and purchase the item(s) on the tag. Bring the item(s) to the Police Station and place them in the large “chimney” box in the lobby with the tag attached. CPAAA volunteers will then wrap all of the collected gifts and donations deliver them to the recipients shortly before Christmas. Project of the Livermore Police Department Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA) and the Livermore Police Department. Any questions about the Giving Tree Program can be directed to Nicole Aguon. Livermore Amador Valley Garden Club, meeting Thursday, December 12, 6:30pm at Alisal School's multipurpose room, 1454 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton. A potluck dinner will precede the meeting. Dan Baldwin,who earned degrees in enology and viticulture will discuss "Growing Grapes for the Home Gardener." He is a lecturer, wine tour director, and producer of San Francisco Bay Wine. A white elephant sale of slightly used Christmas items will be held. Visitors are welcome. For more information call Bev at 925-485-7812. Democratic Clubs Annual Seasonal Party & Potluck, 6:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14. Sponsored by several clubs, this is an opportunity to meet elected officials and candidates as well as other Democrats. IBEW 595 Hall, 6250 Village Parkway, Dublin. Understanding Medicare Options, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. California's Coordinated Care Initiative; presented by Kelly Harp, continuing education coordinator. Robert Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Ave., Livermore. 373-5700 for reservations. Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Touring Club, Fri., Nov. 29, 25-35 miles, meet 9:30 a.m. Central Park in San Ramon, Gail Blanco, 872-1001. Sat., Nov. 30, 50 miles from Livermore to the Central Valley and Bethany Reservoir, meet 9 a.m. at old PW Market on Vasco Rd., Brahim Satoutah, [email protected]. Sun., Dec. 1, modification of usual Moraga Loop with start at San Ramon Center Park, 9 a.m., Dave Leddon, 913-0614. Wed., Dec. 4, 40 miles from San Ramon Center Park to Diablo Junction, Jim Conger, 876-4949. Anyone planning to go on a ride is asked to contact the leader for details on where to meet and what to bring. Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 7, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tri-Valley YMCA, 6693 Sierra Lane, Dublin. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, fresh fruit and juice. $10 per adult, $7 per child. Bring your cameras for free photos with Santa. For more information, call 925-2634444 or email [email protected]. Widowed Men and Women of Northern CA., Mexican Train event, Dec. 5, 12:30 p.m., RSVP by Nov. 29 to Ruby, 462-9636. Breakfast in Livermore, Dec. 8, 11 a.m., RSVP by Dec. 5 to Bette, 510-357-7873. General meeting, birthday lunch in San Ramon, Dec. 15, RSVP by Dec. 7 to Marsha, 830-8483. Happy hour in Pleasanton, Dec. 19, 5 p.m., RSVP by Dec. 17 to Marge, 828-6124. Early dinner in San Ramon, Dec. 31, 3 p.m., RSVP to Janet by Dec. 28 at 443-3317. Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society will meet on Tuesday, December 10, 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Ct., Pleasanton. Theme now is Serendipity. Have you ever stumbled across an unexpected discovery about your ancestors? Come hear about the results some of LAS members will share about their genealogical searches. Visitors are always welcome. For addition information contact Pat Northam, Program Chairperson. Email:program@ L-AGS.org. 2013 Clothing Drive, Donations of men’s warm clothing and blankets will go to residents at Operation Dignity (veterans). Donations of business attire for women and men (on wire hangers, if possible; larger sizes especially needed) will go to Wardrobe for Opportunity, for job seekers re-entering the marketplace. Collections accepted at Unity of Tri-Valley, 9875 Dublin Canyon Rd., Castro Valley, before or after the Sunday church service at 10 – 11:15 a.m., through Dec. 1. Or, contact Michele or Ray Day, 925829-1239, [email protected] for other arrangements. ABC Music Choir is beginning rehearsals for its holiday session. New members are welcome. This choir is open to students ages 8-12. It meets Wednesday evenings at ABC Music (2156 First St., Downtown Livermore). No experience is necessary and there are no auditions. For more info, call ABC Music at 925-443-1244 or email the choir director: [email protected]. Birthright of Livermore needs volunteers: Birthright Crisis Pregnancy Service in Livermore is looking for substitute office volunteers, board members, computer tech and website assistance. A grant writer, a CPA to review the books annually & assist with tax forms, a fund-raising chairman, publicity/advertising chairman and an administrative secretary are also needed. Office is open M-Tu-W-F, 10 am-2 pm and Th eve. 6-9 pm. To discuss a variety of volunteer opportunities please call John M. Kupski evenings at 606-8230 (or Thursday evenings 6-9 pm at Birthright office 449-5887). Birthright offers free pregnancy tests, guidance, adoption and medical referrals, baby and maternity clothing, and more. Those in need of services, please visit the Livermore office at 1520 Catalina Ct., or call (925) 449-5887 during business hours. The 1-800-550-4900 Hotline number is staffed 24 hours a day. Please see our website at www.birthright.org for more information. All Birthright services are free and confidential. THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 11 Tri-Valley CAREs’ 30th Anniversary Party: Tuesday, December 10, 5:30 pm. Livermore Library, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. At this free event, the organization will celebrate 30 years of accomplishment and will debut a short documentary film about Tri-Valley Valley CAREs. There will be food and drinks, music, and great company. Everyone is invited. Tri-Valley CAREs works to strengthen global security by stopping the development of new nuclear weapons in the US and promoting the elimination of nuclear weapons globally. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Pleasanton, meets Wednesdays 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. St. Clare's Episcopal Church, 3350 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton (not affiliated with the church. Information at www.dbsalliance.org/pleasanton or contact chapter leader, Al Pereira, 462-6415. Crab Feed, benefit for St. Michael's/ St. Charles CYO basketball. Sat., Jan. 25, Shrine Event Center, 170 Lindberg Ave., Livermore, 6 p.m. to midnight. All you can eat crab or chicken, pasta, salad, bread. Raffle prizes. Tickets $40, at www.smsccyo. org. Additional information at njfromindy@ yahoo.com or 216-2519. Pleasantonians 4 Peace, Since our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan began 12 years ago, almost 7,000 American men and women have been killed, as well as hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, including children. Many of us feel that it is time to bring our troops home. Additionally, we oppose involvement in Syria except to provide humanitarian aid. Those who want peace, not war, are invited to join vigils the second Wednesday of each month in front of the Museum on Main, 603 Main Street in downtown Pleasanton, at 7 PM. Please call (925) 462-7495 with questions. Shepherd's Gate Thrift Store, 1362 Railroad Avenue, Livermore. Open MondaySaturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Last Friday of every month 50% off most of the store sale. Shepherd's Gate Holiday Food and Toy Drive 2013. For more information visit www. shepgate.org/holiday Mini cheer camp, presented by Foothill High School back-to-back national champions. Sat., Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Foothill High small gym, 4375 Foothill Rd., Pleasanton. Open to students K-6; $50 includes camp, lunch, certificate and a t-shirt. Performance for parents at 1 p.m. Information contact Deanna Sanchez, [email protected] or Kim DeJoy, head coach, at kdejoyfhscheer@comcast. net. Josefa Higuera Livermore Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, meets the first Saturday of the month through May at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel of Asbury United Methodist Church, Livermore. Members are descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. DAR is dedicated to preserving American history, promoting patriotism and securing America's future through patriotism and better education. For information contact [email protected] or 784-1935. Arthritis/Chronic Pain Support Group, Wednesdays, 4 to 5 p.m. Asbury Methodist Church, 4743 East Ave., Livermore. Information, contact Barbara 503-4493861, or email [email protected]. Free will donations accepted toward room rent. Bereaved Mothers' Network of the TriValley, offering support, understanding and compassion to mothers who have suffered the loss (past or present) of a precious child. Safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment. Monthly meeting held at 7 P.M. on the first Tuesday of the month. Livermore Civic Center Library in Community Room "B." Small voluntary donations to help with meeting and outreach costs are appreciated. For further information reach Katie Strube at [email protected]. Pleasanton Newcomers Club, open to new and established residents of the Tri-Valley. Activities include a coffee the first Wednesday of the month, a luncheon on the second Wednesday of the month, Bunco, Mah Jongg, walking/hiking groups, family activities, and monthly adult socials. Information, call 925-215-8405 or visit www.PleasantonNewcomers.com Beginners Internet and e-mail classes, Free classes for absolute beginners who have never clicked a mouse, used e-mail, or surfed the net. Learn the basics in a nonjudgmental atmosphere. Learn to keep in touch with loved ones and access internet sites all around the world. Pleasanton Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave., Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Four one-hour classes in each series. Registration is required, as space is limited. Ask at the Reference Desk or call 925-931-3400, extension 4. Library programs are free and open to everyone. An ongoing program. Call Merry Luskin at 925/931-3400 for information. Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL) offers services to help people with disabilities and supports them to live independently and participate in their community for as long as they are willing and able to do so. CRIL maintains offices in Hayward, Fremont and Livermore to provide information and referrals and provide community education at senior centers and affordable housing complexes to residents of Southern Alameda County. The Tri-Valley office is located at 3311 Pacific Avenue, Livermore 94550 and can be reached by phone at (925) 371-1531, by FAX at (925) 373-5034 or by e-mail at abril.tamayo@ cril-online.org. All services are free. Assistance LeagueВ® of Amador Valley invites all visitors to join this group of volunteers, reaching out to those in need in the Tri-Valley and having fun doing it. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Parkview, 100 Valley Ave., Pleasanton. For more information, go to www.amadorvalley. assistanceleague.org, e-mail [email protected], or call (925) 461-6401. Livermore Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. in the second floor conference room at Heritage Estates Retirement Community. The address is 900 E. Stanley Blvd., Livermore All are welcome. Contacts are: Sandra Grafrath 443-6655 or Lee Parlett 292-9280. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Tri-Valley Parent Resource and Support Group is a twice-a-month parent support group for parents with children to age 18 diagnosed with or suspected of having bipolar or other mood disorders. It meets First and third Tuesdays of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m at Pathways To Wellness, 5674 Stoneridge Dr., Suite #114, Pleasanton. The group is drop-in, no registration required and is free. Suzi Glorioso by phone: (925) 443-1797 or by e-mail: [email protected] Operation: S.A.M. "Supporting All Military" is a 501(c)3 non profit military support organization based in Livermore. S.A.M. has been in operation since January 2004. It is dedicated to the continued support of deployed troops. Preparation of comfort packages takes place every other week - all year long. Providing morale support for those deployed. All information provided is confidential and is not shared for security purposes. To submit a name and address, inquire about donations or helping, please visit www.operationsam.org, email [email protected] or call 925 443-7620 for more information and the calendar of events. VFW Post 7265, Livermore, invites Veterans of Foreign Wars, all military branches, to join the group. Any age veteran welcome to meetings held 1st and 3rd Mondays, 522 South L St., Livermore. Camaraderie, support, connections, advocacy, distinction and community service. Meetings on the 1st Monday begin at 7:30 p.m. and on the 3rd Monday at 8 p.m. Information, call 455-5039. Pleasanton Military Families is a Pleasanton based support group for those who have a loved one serving in the Military. The group gathers at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of each month to share concerns, fears, and to celebrate the joys that are experienced. There is no better support than being surrounded by others who know what you are going through. Three times per year, the group collect supplies and sends care packages to the troops. Please contact [email protected] for the location of the next meeting. Livermore Military Families, a support group for families in Livermore who have a loved one serving in the Military, is intended to be a safe place for family members to come and share their experiences and concerns with others who understand what they are going through. All family members are welcome to attend meetings. Meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Livermore Veterans Memorial Building, 522 South L Street from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information please call Tami Jenkins, 925-784-5014 or email livermoremilitaryfamilies@yahoo. RELIGION First Presbyterian Church, 2020 Fifth Street, Livermore. 9:00 a.m. Contemplative Service in the Chapel, 10:30 Traditional Service in the Sanctuary and children’s program. For more information www.fpcl.us or 925-447-2078. Tri-Valley Bible Church, 2346 Walnut St., Livermore, holds Sunday worship at 10 a.m. with Sunday school for all ages at 9 a.m. Children's classes during adult worship service. AWANA children's program Wednesdays at 6 p.m. 449-4403 or www. Tri-ValleyBibleChurch.com. Unitarian Universalist, 1893 N. Vasco Rd., Livermore. 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Information 447-8747 or www.uucil.org Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. Information 931-1055. Tri-Valley Cultural Jews, affiliated with the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations (csjo.org). Information, Rabbi Judith Seid, Tri-Valley Cultural Jews, 485-1049 or EastBaySecularJews.org. First Church of Christ, Scientist, Livermore, services 10 a.m. every Sunday. Sunday School for students (ages 3-20) is held at 10 a.m. every Sunday. The church and reading room are located at Third and N Streets. The Reading Room, which is open to the public, features books, CDs and magazines for sale. For information, call (925) 447-2946. Sunset Community Church, 2200 Arroyo Rd., Livermore. Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. Nursery and children's church provided. A "Night of Worship" first Sunday of each month at 6 p.m. Wednesday night program for all ages at 7 p.m. Information, call 447-6282. Holy Cross Lutheran Church Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. 1020 Mocho St., Livermore. Information, 447-8840. Our Savior Lutheran Ministries, 1385 S. Livermore Avenue, Livermore. 9 a.m. worship (semiformal); 10:30 a.m. adult Bible study/Sunday school; 11 a.m. worship (informal). For information, call 925-447-1246. Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Avenue, Livermore. 9 a.m. Sunday worship. Information 447-1950. Calvary Chapel Livermore, meetings Saturdays at 6 p.m. 5860 Las Positas Road, Livermore. (925) 447-4357 - www. calvarylivermore.org. St. Matthew's Baptist Church, 1239 North Livermore Ave., Livermore. Services on Sunday at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Adult Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Children's Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Prayer each Wednesday at 7 p.m. followed by Bible study at 7:30 p.m. 449-3824. United Christian Church, celebrating 50 years in the Tri-Valley. 1886 College Ave. at M St., Livermore; worships on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.В Children’s program on Sunday morning and first Fridays. The community is welcome. United CC is an Open and Affirming ministry.В 449-6820 Granada Baptist Church, 945 Concannon Boulevard, Livermore. Services: Sunday school – 9:45 a.m.; worship service – 11 a.m. All are welcome. 1-888-805-7151. Seventh-day Adventist Church, 243 Scott Street, Livermore. 925-447-5462, services on Saturday: Sabbath school 9:30 a.m., worship 11 a.m. www.livermoresda. org/ All are welcome. Faith Chapel Assembly of God, 6656 Alisal St., Pleasanton, Sunday School for all ages 9:15 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m., Children’s Church 11:15 a.m. Women's Bible study Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Intercessory prayer 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Please call office at 846-8650 for weekly programs. Trinity, 557 Olivina Ave., Livermore. Sunday worship at 8:30 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday school or Bible study for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Awana is Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday nights there is adult Bible study at 6:45 and NRG and Re.Gen for youth, and children's choir for kids. Child care during all events. 447-1848, www. trinitylivermore.org. St. Charles Borromeo, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Meditation groups following the John Main tradition, every Monday 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. For details, contact Claire La Scola at 447-9800. St. Innocent Orthodox Church, 5860 Las Positas Rd., Livermore. Sunday Liturgy at 10 a.m. For details please see www. stinnocent.net or call Fr. John Karcher at (831) 278-1916. St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, 3350 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, Services on Sunday, 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School & Chapel at 10:15 a.m. All are most welcome to come and worship with us. For more information call the church office 925-462-4802. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 678 Enos Way, Livermore, (925) 447-3289. Sunday Services: Contemplative Eucharist 8:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:20 a.m. Choral Eucharist with choir 10:30 a.m.; child care for children under 5 available at 10:30 service. Tri-Valley Church of Christ at 4481 East Avenue, Livermore, worship service 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Sundays, all are welcome. 925-447-4333 ( a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) Little Brown Church, United Church of Christ 141 Kilkare Road, Sunol. 10:30 a.m. worship. All are welcome here. www. littlebrownchurchofsunol.org 925-862-2580 Pathway Community Church, 6533 Sierra Lane, Dublin. Contemporary Worship Service, Sunday 10:30 am. Children, youth, adult programs. Biblically based practical messages, nondenominational. All are welcomed. www.pathwaycommuntiychurch. org (925) 829-4793. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 486 S. J Street, Livermore. 9:00 a.m. worship service. Bible Study/Sunday School 10:20. Bible Basics Class, which explores the main teachings of the Bible, meets at 7:00 Sunday night. Call 371-6200 or email [email protected] for more info. Tri-Valley Church of Christ, 4481 East Avenue, Livermore; 447-433.3 www. trivalleychurch.org. Update on classes for The Story 9 to 10:00 a.m.. Worship Service 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Unity of Tri-Valley Church - Sunday services are at 10:00 a.m.; all are welcome. Ongoing small groups, weekly activities, choir, classes, and Children's church. 9875 Dublin Canyon Rd., Castro Valley (2 miles west of Stoneridge Mall). (925) 829-2733, www.trivalleyunity.com Rev. Karen Epps. Bethel Family Christian Center, 501 North P Street, Livermore, Pastors are Don & Debra Qualls. Weekly ministries: Sunday 10 a.m. - Teaching Sessions; Sunday 10:25 a.m. - Holy Grounds Fellowship; Sunday Worship Service 10:45 a.m. - Elementary aged children go to Kid’s Church following worship, nursery available; Wednesday 7 p.m. - Back to the Point Bible Study; all ages; Friday 7 p.m. - Celebrate Recovery; in the dining hall; 925-449-4848. Lynnewood United Methodist Church, 4444 Black Ave., Pleasanton. Sunday Services at 9:00 and 10:30 am. Prayers for the Philippines Dec. 8 at 7:00 pm; Christmas Sunday with orchestra Dec. 22; Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 5:00pm (families), 7:30pm & 9:00pm (traditional). All welcome, Rev. Heather Leslie Hammer, Pastor. www. lynnewood.org, 925 846-0221 (across from the aquatic center). Centerpointe Church, 3410 Cornerstone Court, Pleasanton. Services: 9 a.m. blended with choir and band. Childcare offered for infants through age 6 and children start in the worship service. 10:40 a.m. contemporary worship led by a band. Sunday school for children and middleschoolers. www.centerpointechurch.org 925-846-4436. Valley Bible Church, Pleasanton, 7106 Johnson Drive, Services at 9:00 and 11:00. Interpretation for the deaf at 9:00. 925227-1301. www.thecrossing.org Valley Bible Church, Livermore, Meeting at Altamont Creek Elementary School, 6500 Garraventa Ranch Road, Livermore. Services at 10:00 a.m. Cedar Grove Community Church, 2021 College Ave., Livermore. Worship Services 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. www.cedargrove.org or call 447-2351. St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church (1928 Book of Common Prayer), 193 Contractors Avenue, Livermore. Sunday services: 8:45 am (Low Mass) and 10 am (High Mass with Sunday School). Other Holy Days as announced. For information, call msg. center at 925/906-9561. Chabad of the Tri-Valley, 784 Palomino Dr., Pleasanton. 846-0700. www.jewishtrivalley.com. Rabbi Raleigh Resnick. Well Community Outreach Center ministry provides meats, canned and dry goods, toiletries, and school supplies (only available prior to the start of the school year). Those with an immediate need or who would like to donate nonperishable food items, please call the office at (925) 479-1414 to begin the process. Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Thursday 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Pick up by appointment only. The Outreach Center will be open every 4th Saturday to distribute bags from Fresh and Easy Market and Sprouts. This will be on a first come first serve basis between 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 2333 Nissen Drive, Livermore. Philosophers’ CafГ©/Culture Chat, an informal gathering to discuss ideas, 10:45 a.m. at CafГ© Rumi, 4799 Heyer Ave., Castro Valley. The topic is “What will happen to Jews in the United States over the next 25 Years?” Philosophers’ CafГ©/Culture Chat is an activity of the Tri-Valley Cultural Jews, a Secular Humanistic Jewish community, but is open to the entire community. (Non-members are asked to donate $5 per session.) Further sessions are scheduled for December 15, January 5 and February 2 with topics to be announced. For information, please contact (925) 240-5612. Healing journey after death of a loved one. St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr. Pleasanton. Second and fourth Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. December 12 and 26, 2013, January 9 and 23. February 13 and 27, 2014. No pre-registration is necessary. These sessions are open to all, regardless of religious affiliation. Please call Mary Hagerty at 925-846-5377 for more information. Christmas Nativity Displays, Sun., Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Catholic Community of Pleasanton (CCOP) at St. Elizabeth Seton Chapel, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Sponsored by The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 285 and The Diversity Committee of CCOP. The public is invited to stop by and view the displays. Prayer service for victims of Typhoon Haiyan, at Lynnewood United Methodist Church December 8 at 7:00 pm, at 4444 Black Avenue, Pleasanton. The community is invited to listen to music, light candles, and pray for family and friends they may know of or wish to be in solidarity with in the Philippine Islands. A freewill offering will go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, now in the Philippines bringing food and supplies to people in need. For more information about the church, go to www.lynnewood.org or call 925 846-0221 and ask for the pastor, Rev. Heather Leslie Hammer. Or to donate to Philippine relief, go to www.umcor.org. 2177 Las Positas Ct, Ste. K, Livermore CA 94551 (925) 454-1974 www.neptune-society.com Sam Miller, Branch Director FD#1823 12 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship Winners Announced Two high school seniors have been selected by the Community of Character Coalition as recipients of the 2014 Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarship. Applicants were required to explain how their actions have reflected any or all of the six characteristics adopted by the Pleasanton school district, city government, and chamber of commerce: compassion, honesty, respect, responsibility, integrity, and self-discipline. The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Juanita Hagen, founder of the coalition, who died in 2007 due to cancer. Haugen was a former president not only of the local school board, but also of the California School Boards Association. Each of the local high schools’ graduating classes is eligible for one of the annual cash awards. From Amador Valley High School’s Class of 2014, Alice Deng was selected as the scholarship winner. She is the daughter of Tony and Janet. The Foothill High School scholarship recipient is Diane Hadley, daughter of Bing and Laura. As in past years, the Village High School recipient will be announced at the school's graduation ceremony in June 2014. Alice Deng was born in Oakland and attended elementary school there. After her family moved to Pleasanton, Alice realized that lacking the ability to speak up in public was a great hindrance . As she took steps to gain confidence as a speaker, she decided she could help others. She has co-founded RSVP Speech Campaign, a non-profit organization that already has spread beyond Pleasanton to other cities, including Berkeley and San Leandro. “We train high school youth to teach public speaking skills in their own communities,” explained Alice. “Through our presentations, interactive discussions, gripping games, and one oneon-one lectures, we aim to demystify the process of speech deliverance, cracking one code at a time. I hope that, through our efforts, the members of the youngest generation of our community will one day find themselves confident and resourceful. One day, they will not be scared to scale the stairs to a stage or be at a loss for words in front of a live audience. Instead, they will embrace the world and proudly let their voices be heard.” In recognition of the success of RSVP Speech, Alice was inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame this year. Her other activities have included leadership roles in her school’s chapters of California Scholastic Federation (honor society), DECA (international business organization), and the marching band. Alice has volunteered over 500 hours, including at Open Heart Kitchen, American Red Cross, Museum On Main, and Shepard’s Gate Shelter for Battered Women and Children. She serves on the Tri-Valley/Eden Township Youth Community Court and is past president of the Oakland Youth Energy Awareness Council. Diane Hadley developed her leadership skills through a number of organizations. “Through church, National Charity league, and Girl Scouts, I have had the opportunity to volunteer for more than 30 different charities and community organizations,” wrote Diane. “My favorites have been Unity of Tri-Valley Introduces New Minister Unity of Tri-Valley, located in Castro Valley and Dublin, recently welcomed Rev. Karen Epps as the new minister. Rev. Karen, as she likes to be called, was ordained in June 2005 by Unity Worldwide Ministries. She has served at Unity on the Bay in Miami, Unity of Dallas in Texas, and most recently at Unity of Beaverton in Oregon. Rev. Karen is the founder of an online transdenominational ministry called Unity Global Heart. Her passion and vision is to create a platform where people can connect in spiritual community regardless of their time zone or location. She has a Bachelors Degree in Business Management, a Masters Degree in Integral Theory in 2010, and is a Cer- tified Spiritual Intelligence (SQ21) Coach. Rev. Karen enjoys movies, running, hiking, cooking, being "Hunni" to her grandkids, and close friendships. Unity of Tri-Valley was founded, as Tri-Valley Unity Church, in 1994 and is part of Unity Worldwide Ministries. Corazon, Foster-a-Dream, American Cancer Society, and Shakespeare’s Associates. . . “Imagine not having a home! Corazon is an organization that builds houses in Tijuana for homeless families. I participated in two builds and fell in love with Corazon and the people of Tijuana. Sadly, because of the drug cartel many Americans are fearful of going to Mexico. The number of Corazon builds has decreased significantly. The truth is, the neighborhoods we support are too poor for drugs, and the only danger comes from being on a construction site. “When I was 15, I decided to organize a build through my church. I got the approval, recruited 50 volunteers, facilitated meetings, and organized transportation, food, and hotels. At the end of the weekend, I was able to hand house keys to a father – a man who works and takes care of his family but needed some help building a home. It felt great to provide him with the help he needed.” Diane has been involved with Girl Scouts for 12 years, earning the highest honor – Silver Award – by organizing parties to decorate over 100 pillow cases for foster children. At Foothill High School, she has served as junior and senior class president. Diane represented her school as a cheerleader, four years on game squad, two on competition squad, and three as captain. She also was a member of National Charity League for six years, helping with organizations such as the Shakespeare Festival, Special Olympics, and Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). For more information about how individuals, organizations, and businesses can become involved in the Community of Character Coalition, visit www. CommunityOfCharacter. org. The annual fund-raiser is a spring luncheon, open to the community. Air Force Airman Anthony Bruner (pictured at left) graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Bruner is the son of Josephine Willior of Livermore. He is a 2011 graduate of Granada High School, Livermore. Chocolatier Earns 13 Medals Livermore local organic chocolatier Mary Drobshoff won 13 medals at the San Francisco Luxury Chocolate Salon held on November 10, 2013 at Fort Mason. Cocoa Vida takes gold for Best organic/Fair Trade and Best Product Award, and, seven silver including Best Truffle, Most luxurious chocolate experience, Top Toffee and Best Caramels. Visit the Cocoa Vida’s Facebook site https://www. facebook.com/pages/CocoaVida/183064008399401 for a full list of awards. Mary owner and master chocolatier of Cocoa Vida began perfecting her handmade luxurious confections 30 years ago as a single mother concerned about the impact of refined sugars on her three children. Cocoa Vida gourmet chocolates, cakes, cupcakes, and confections are lovingly made with premium natural and organic ingredients. Cocoa Vida’s chocolates and confections help support small family farms that practice sustainable farming methods (no use of pesticides, herbicides or harmful practices) that protect our earth and wild life. For information send an email to mary@cocoavida. com
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